The fungal infection Candida Auris is reportedly affecting more and more patients, especially in New York. Of the 53 reported cases in the U.S., 27 are in the Big Apple.

While antibiotic is usually used to fight and treat infection, certain strains of the said fungus have been observed to be resistant to the medicine. This means that no matter how much of the antibiotic is taken, the patient still does not get any better.

Like Us on Facebook

Talking to New Scientist at the University Hospital of South Manchester, United Kingdom, David Denning said that three main classes of the antibiotic that treat fungal infection have reportedly been found to be ineffective in addressing Candida Auris.  

"It's pretty difficult to find new antibiotics," he said. "It's harder to find new antifungals."

With Candida Auris causing multidrug-resistant infections, it is likely that the patient would develop organ failure. Denning pointed out that the fungal infection could pose a "really difficult problem."

"The ordinary person coming into the hospital to have a hernia operation or have a breast lump or their diabetes checked is not at risk," he added. "Neither are patients out in the community."

Amid this scenario, several drug manufacturing companies in the UK, Japan, and Sweden have been developing new drugs with antifungal compounds that may finally address the problem. However, he hinted that despite the presence of some "promising oral and intravenous treatments," there is still no assurance of cure. Accordingly, the result remains to be seen.

On March 10, it was reported that a total of 35 cases of the deadly Candida Auris fungal infection were recorded in the United States. The fungus, which is a kind of yeast, has reportedly alarmed health experts. It is worth noting that this particular strain of fungus has affected numerous patients since 2009.