Cyprus was among European countries where cases of infection with a rare, but very dangerous fungus of Candidozyma auris were recorded. This pathogen was first detected in 2009 in Japan and has since spread around the world. It causes special anxiety in the medical environment, since it is resistant to most antifungal drugs, which makes treatment extremely difficult.
Candidozyma auris usually lives on the skin without causing serious problems in healthy people. However, when it enters the blood or internal organs, it is able to provoke severe infections, especially in patients with weakened immunity, located in intensive care units and using catheters or devices to maintain vital functions. Such infections are difficult to treat and can be fatal.
The fungus is extremely tenacious, it persists for a long time on surfaces and equipment in hospitals, is poorly removed by conventional disinfection and requires the use of special solutions with chlorine. Even with thorough cleaning, repeated appearance is possible. In addition, Candidozyma auris is easy to confuse with other fungi, which complicates the diagnosis and requires special laboratory methods.
The largest number of cases of infection is recorded in Spain, Italy, Greece and Germany. In Cyprus, so far we are talking about single incidents. In 2023, 13 cases were revealed, but in most of them it was a question of colonization, that is, the presence of a fungus in the body without clinical manifestations of the disease. On September 15, the epidemiologist Professor Petros Karayannis said that the Limassol hospital again recorded cases of infection with a fungus. According to experts, the situation in the country remains under control, but it is constant observation.
The main weapon is prevention
The European Center for Prevention and Control of Diseases (ECDC) has sent recommendations to all hospitals to identify and contain Candidozyma auris. Doctors and nurses in Cyprus have already received instructions and introduce infectious control protocols. Special disinfectants, as well as a new diagnostic equipment, were purchased in medical institutions: if earlier the only way to confirm the diagnosis was in the laboratory at the nicosia hospital, now part of the tests can also be carried out in other clinics. Petros Karayannis notes that the stability of the fungus is also associated with the widespread use of antifungal drugs in agriculture. This makes him a particularly difficult opponent, since the choice of effective drugs is limited.
Microbiologist Dr. Mikhalis Mendris emphasizes that Candidozyma auris is included in the World Health Organization among the three most dangerous fungi in the world. The main strategy for combating it today is not treatment, but prevention: timely detection, insulation of patients, preventing spread in a hospital environment.
For a healthy person, Candidozyma auris does not pose a direct threat - the fungus rarely causes diseases outside of medical institutions.
Danger exists primarily for patients with severe diseases and weakened immunity. Therefore, the efforts of Cypriot doctors are aimed at preventing its distribution in hospitals.
The text was prepared based on the materials "Reporter" and "Kasimerini".
