Chennai: The fungal infection, Candida auris, known to have affected people across the globe, has been detected in several Indian hospitals as well. Scientists state that they haven’t yet come across the virulent type like that seen in the US, where hospital walls and tiles needed to be broken in order to sanitize the wards.

Apollo Hospitals Infectious Diseases Expert, Dr V Ramasubramaniam, said that this microbe mimics other fungi, thus making the diagnosis difficult. It can be present in blood, urine, or any other body fluid. Once diagnosed, patients have to be isolated even if asymptomatic. However, it is not the toughest microbe to fight against.

He added that they could treat most infections with a new class of antifungal agents called Echinocandins.

A team of scientists has published a study on the ICUs of 27 hospitals to identify the risk factors associated with the organism. It was concluded that C. auris has been detected across India and the number of cases is higher in public sector hospitals in the northern parts of the country. Longer ICU stay, underlying respiratory illness, vascular surgery, medical intervention and antifungal exposure have been identified as the major risk factors for acquiring the infection among patients exhibiting low levels of morbidity.

Dr S Srinivasan, Coordinator, State Nodal Center - National Rural Health Mission at the Institute of Child Health, mentioned that about a dozen newborns were affected by the infection in 2016-17 and most recovered with medicines. There is no clinical evidence of death due to this fungal infection, he said.

Dr Bala Ramachandran, Pediatric Intensivist at Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital, stated that there is a possibility that the infection may go undetected in several clinics as it can be misunderstood for another species.

People with low immunity, babies, elderly and those with chronic diseases are most likely to be affected.

It spreads quickly in hospitals as the organism can colonize in the hands of health workers, equipment and surroundings. Therefore, keeping a clean environment is essential, stated Dr Rosy Vennila, Dean of Karur Medical College.