Fungal Infections Worldwide are Becoming Resistant to Drugs and More Deadly

Dr. Rodney E. Rohde is a professor of Clinical Laboratory Science at Texas State University and a trusted Virology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology advisor for Lighthouse EIP. Dr. Rohde has over 30 years of experience working in public health and clinical microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, and accurate science communication and health literacy.

In his most recent publication, Dr. Rohde discusses the emergence of drug-resistant fungi that can cause serious illness, and how medical research surrounding fungi rarely receives sufficient funding. The facts, he argues, suggests that this needs to change.

Candida auris, or C. auris, are a dangerous fungi often found in the blood, urine, sputum, ear discharge, cerebrospinal fluid and soft tissue, and occur in people of all ages. In 2018, researchers estimated mortality rates of 30% to 70% in C. auris outbreaks among critically ill patients in intensive care facilities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have set C. auris infections at an “urgent” threat level because 90% are resistant to at least one antifungal, 30% to two antifungals, and some are resistant to all three available classes of antifungals. This multidrug resistance has led to outbreaks in health care settings, especially hospitals and nursing homes, which are extremely difficult to control.

To learn more about fungal infections and the potential threats they pose, you can read Dr. Rohde’s latest publication here.