International Multicentre Study of Candida auris Infections

<b>Background:</b><i>Candida auris</i> has emerged globally as a multi-drug resistant yeast and is commonly associated with nosocomial outbreaks in ICUs. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a retrospective observational multicentre study to determine the epidemiology of <i>C. auris</i> infections, its management strategies, patient outcomes, and infection prevention and control practices across 10 centres from five countries. <b>Results:</b> Significant risk factors for <i>C. auris</i> infection include the age group of 61-70 years (39%), recent history of ICU admission (63%), diabetes (63%), renal failure (52%), presence of CVC (91%) and previous history of antibiotic treatment (96%). <i>C. auris</i> was commonly isolated from blood (76%). Echinocandins were the most sensitive drugs. Most common antifungals used for treatment were caspofungin (40%), anidulafungin (28%) and micafungin (15%). The median duration of treatment was 20 days. Source removal was conductedin 74% patients. All-cause crude mortality rate after 30 days was 37%. Antifungal therapy was associated with a reduction in mortality (OR:0.27) and so was source removal (OR:0.74). Contact isolation precautions were followed in 87% patients. <b>Conclusions:</b><i>C. auris</i> infection carries a high risk for associated mortality. The organism is mainly resistant to most azoles and even amphotericin-B. Targeted antifungal therapy, mainly an echinocandin, and source control are the prominent therapeutic approaches.