Hospital-acquired infections have long been a concern for healthcare professionals and patients alike. In recent years, a silent invasion has been taking place in US hospitals – the rise of life-threatening fungal infections. This article delves into the causes, consequences, and preventative measures for combating these infections, backed by research from five reputable sources.
The Fungal Foe: Candida auris
One of the most concerning fungal infections sweeping across US hospitals is Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast [1]. Since its first identification in Japan in 2009, C. auris has quickly become a global public health threat due to its ability to cause severe infections and its resistance to antifungal medications [2]. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cases in the US has grown significantly in recent years, with hospitalization rates skyrocketing [3].
Why are Fungal Infections on the Rise?
There are several factors contributing to the rise of fungal infections in US hospitals:
- Overuse of antibiotics: Prolonged and inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can kill off beneficial bacteria, allowing fungi to thrive [4].
- Increased use of medical devices: The use of invasive devices such as catheters and ventilators has increased, creating opportunities for fungal infections to enter the body [5].
- Immunosuppressed patients: Many patients in hospitals are immunocompromised due to chronic diseases, cancer treatments, or organ transplants, making them more susceptible to fungal infections [6].
- Climate change: Rising temperatures may contribute to the spread of fungal infections by providing more favorable conditions for their growth [7].
Combating the Fungal Threat
To prevent the spread of fungal infections in US hospitals, several measures need to be implemented:
- Infection control practices: Strict adherence to hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and the proper use of personal protective equipment can help reduce the transmission of fungal infections [8].
- Antifungal stewardship: Promoting the appropriate use of antifungal medications can help prevent the emergence of drug-resistant fungi [9].
- Early detection and treatment: Rapid identification of fungal infections is crucial for initiating prompt and effective treatment, reducing the risk of complications and transmission [10].
- Surveillance and reporting: Improved surveillance and reporting of fungal infections can help healthcare professionals identify trends, respond quickly to outbreaks, and develop targeted interventions [11].
- Climate change mitigation: Addressing the root causes of climate change may help reduce the spread of fungal infections by limiting the growth and spread of these organisms [12].
Conclusion
The silent invasion of fungal infections in US hospitals is a pressing public health issue that requires urgent attention. By understanding the factors contributing to the rise of these infections and implementing effective prevention and control measures, healthcare professionals can protect vulnerable patients and safeguard the health of our communities.
Source List
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Candida auris. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/index.html
[2] Lockhart, S. R., Etienne, K. A., Vallabhaneni, S., Farooqi, J., Chowdhary, A., Govender, N. P., … & Chiller, T. M. (2017). Simultaneous emergence of multidrug-resistant Candida auris on 3 continents confirmed by whole-genome sequencing and epidemiological analyses. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 64(2), 134-140. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/64/2/134/2732512
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Tracking Candida auris. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/tracking-c-auris.html
[4] Casadevall, A., Kontoyiannis, D. P., & Robert, V. (2019). On the emergence of Candida auris: climate change, azoles, swamps, and birds. mBio, 10(4), e01397-19. Retrieved from https://mbio.asm.org/content/10/4/e01397-19
[5] Pemán, J., & Salavert, M. (2016). Invasive fungal infections in critically ill patients. Revista Española de Quimioterapia, 29(Suppl 1), 29-32. Retrieved from https://seq.es/seq/0214-3429/29/sup1/Peman.pdf
[6] Benedict, K., Jackson, B. R., Chiller, T., & Beer, K. D. (2019). Estimation of direct healthcare costs of fungal diseases in the United States. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 68(11), 1791-1797. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/68/11/1791/5094854
[7] García-Solache, M. A., & Casadevall, A. (2010). Global warming will bring new fungal diseases for mammals. mBio, 1(1), e00061-10. Retrieved from https://mbio.asm.org/content/1/1/e00061-10
[8] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Infection prevention and control for Candida auris. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/c-auris-infection-control.html
[9] Ostrowsky, B., Greenko, J., Adams, E., Quinn, M., O’Brien, B., Chaturvedi, V., … & Vallabhaneni, S. (2020). Candida auris isolates resistant to three classes of antifungal medications—New York, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69 (1), 6-9. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6901a2.htm
[10] Kullberg, B. J., & Arendrup, M. C. (2015). Invasive Candidiasis. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(15), 1445-1456. Retrieved from https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1315399
[11] Buehrle, D. J., Shields, R. K., Clarke, L. G., Potoski, B. A., & Clancy, C. J. (2017). Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia: Risk factors for mortality and microbiologic treatment failure. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 61(1), e01243-16. Retrieved from https://aac.asm.org/content/61/1/e01243-16
[12] Watts, N., Adger, W. N., Agnolucci, P., Blackstock, J., Byass, P., Cai, W., … & Cox, P. M. (2015). Health and climate change: policy responses to protect public health. The Lancet, 386(10006), 1861-1914. Retrieved from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)60854-6/fulltext
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