Candidozyma auris is a yeast that mainly spreads in hospitals and nursing homes. This yeast was previously known as Candida auris. Most people do not become ill after exposure to Candidozyma auris. People with impaired immunity could become very ill from an infection.
What is Candidozyma auris?
Candidozyma auris is a yeast. Yeasts are single-celled fungi. The yeast Candidozyma auris lives on the skin and inside the body, and can also survive outside the body.
Candida albicans
Besides Candidozyma auris, there are various other types of yeast that can affect people. Candida albicans, for example, is often found on the skin and in the mouth, intestines and vagina. Sometimes this type of yeast can form into long, thin threads called filaments, becoming a multicellular fungus. This can happen in response to antibiotics, a weakened immune system or parasites, for example.
In women, Candida albicans can cause a vaginal yeast infection. This can lead to abnormal vaginal discharge (change in odour or colour) and itching, burning or pain. If you have these symptoms, contact your GP or gynaecologist.
More information (in Dutch) about vaginal yeast infections is available at Thuisarts.nl.
Candida albicans and pregnancy
An increase in vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy. However, if your discharge changes odour or colour, or if you also feel itching, burning or pain, you may have a yeast infection. If that happens, contact your GP or gynaecologist. They can prescribe antifungal medicine.
If a pregnant person has a vaginal yeast infection during childbirth, the baby could get a yeast infection in the mouth. This is called thrush. The oral discomfort may cause the baby to be fussy while drinking.
More information (in Dutch) about thrush is available at Thuisarts.nl.
Although the symptoms can be irritating, a Candida albicans infection is not usally dangerous.
What are the symptoms of a Candidozyma auris infection?
People who are exposed to Candidozyma auris do not usually become ill as a result. If the yeast enters the bloodstream, it can cause infections. These infections can cause various symptoms. The most common symptom is high fever.
About 35% of patients with a Candidozyma auris infection in the bloodstream will die.
Who can become very ill from Candidozyma auris?
Candidozyma auris is mainly dangerous for people with impaired immunity. They can become very ill from an infection.
How does Candidozyma auris spread?
Candidozyma auris can spread through hand contact and via medical instruments, among others. The risk that it will spread is highest in hospitals and nursing homes.
How can I prevent Candidozyma auris?
Hospitals take various measures to prevent infections caused by pathogens like Candidozyma auris wherever possible.
As an individual, there is not much you can do to prevent a Candidozyma auris infection. However, good hygiene can help. For example, wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
Is there any treatment for Candidozyma auris?
Candidozyma auris can be treated with various antifungal medicines, but the yeast is increasingly resistant to a number of these drugs. The body is usually able to get rid of the yeast infection on its own.
How common is Candidozyma auris in the Netherlands?
There are very few cases of Candidozyma auris infections in the Netherlands, to the best of our knowledge. In recent years, there have been about 26 patients with Candidozyma auris in the Netherlands. All of these involved patients who were transferred to a Dutch hospital from a hospital in another country. Although these patients were carrying the yeast, most of them did not become ill as a result.
This type of yeast is more common in a number of other countries, such as the USA, India and certain countries in Africa. Within Europe, it is also found in Spain, Italy, Greece and Germany. That is why patients who are transferred from a foreign hospital are always checked for Candidozyma auris. If there is an outbreak of Candidozyma auris (involving more than two cases in the same hospital), then care facilities are required to notify RIVM. This makes it possible to stop the spread.