Malaysian Doctors Warn of New Candida Tropicalis Subtype That is Drug Resistant and is Lethal
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 29, 2025 1 day, 4 hours, 42 minutes ago
Medical News:
A New Superbug Threat Emerges in Malaysia
Medical researchers in Malaysia have raised the alarm about a newly identified subtype of Candida tropicalis, a fungal pathogen that exhibits alarming levels of drug resistance and poses a serious threat to patients. The discovery, made by scientists from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), highlights growing concerns about fungal infections that are becoming increasingly difficult to treat.
Malaysian Doctors Warn of New Candida Tropicalis Subtype That is Drug Resistant and is Lethal
The Candida tropicalis subtype, classified as diploid sequence type 1515, was first identified in a 43-year-old patient who succumbed to the infection despite receiving antifungal treatment. This
Medical News Report delves into the findings of this study, its implications for global healthcare, and the urgent need for improved antifungal strategies.
The Case That Led to the Discovery
The patient at the center of this discovery had been admitted for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. He had a history of prolonged hospitalization and had been receiving systemic corticosteroids for over a month, along with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Despite initial improvements, the patient’s fever returned, prompting further tests, which led to the identification of Candida tropicalis in his bloodstream.
Further laboratory analysis revealed that this specific fungal strain was highly resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole - two commonly used antifungal drugs. Unfortunately, despite the availability of echinocandins, which remained effective, financial and logistical barriers prevented their administration. The patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and he ultimately succumbed to the infection and died.
What Makes This Candida Strain So Dangerous?
The newly discovered diploid sequence type 1515 of Candida tropicalis is particularly concerning because it demonstrates high resistance to first-line antifungal treatments. While Candida tropicalis has long been recognized as a leading cause of bloodstream infections, this subtype’s resistance profile raises significant challenges for treatment and management.
Laboratory tests conducted at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia confirmed that the fungal strain exhibited the following characteristics:
-Fluconazole Resistance: The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for fluconazole was recorded at 128 μg/mL - well above the resistance threshold.
-Voriconazole Resistance: The strain also showed resistance to voriconazole (MIC of 4 μg/mL), limiting treatment options further.
-Echinocandin Susceptibility: Despite its resistance to azole antifungals, the strain remained susceptible to echinocandins, such as caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin.
-A
mphotericin B Sensitivity: The isolate had a relatively low MIC for amphotericin B (1 μg/mL), but due to the patient’s pre-existing kidney issues, this treatment was not considered a viable option.
How Was This Superbug Identified?
To further investigate this new strain, researchers performed whole-genome sequencing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to classify the fungal subtype. The sequencing process involved extracting DNA from the fungal sample and analyzing six key housekeeping genes (ICL1, MDR1, SAPT2, SAPT4, XYR1, and ZWF1a). This led to the classification of the new diploid sequence type - DST 1515.
The genetic analysis was crucial in distinguishing this strain from previously known Candida tropicalis subtypes. With this discovery, scientists now have a better understanding of the genetic variations that may contribute to its drug resistance.
Why Are Drug-Resistant Fungal Infections Increasing?
The emergence of drug-resistant fungal infections is becoming a growing global health concern. Several factors contribute to the rise of these difficult-to-treat infections:
-Overuse of Antifungal Medications - The widespread use of antifungals in hospitals and agriculture has led to increased resistance among fungal species.
-Prolonged Use of Antibiotics - Broad-spectrum antibiotics disturb the natural microbial balance, allowing opportunistic fungal infections to thrive.
-Prolonged Corticosteroid Use - As seen in this case, extended corticosteroid use weakens the immune system and increases susceptibility to fungal infections.
-Globalization and Travel - The ease of travel and migration has allowed resistant fungal strains to spread across continents.
-Limited Access to Effective Antifungals - In many parts of the world, including Malaysia, access to advanced antifungal treatments is limited due to high costs and logistical barriers.
What Can Be Done to Combat This Threat?
Given the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant Candida infections, healthcare institutions must take urgent steps to prevent outbreaks and improve patient outcomes. Key measures include:
-Enhanced Infection Control Measures - Hospitals must implement rigorous infection control practices to prevent fungal transmission.
-Routine Antifungal Susceptibility Testing - Laboratories should regularly test Candida isolates for drug resistance to guide appropriate treatment.
-Optimized Use of Antifungals - Physicians should avoid unnecessary antifungal prescriptions to reduce selective pressure for resistance.
-Increased Research and Funding - Governments and pharmaceutical companies must invest in developing new antifungal drugs.
Public Awareness and Education - Healthcare providers and the general public must be informed about the dangers of drug-resistant infections and ways to prevent them.
Conclusion
The discovery of this new subtype of Candida tropicalis highlights the growing threat posed by drug-resistant fungal infections. The case documented in Malaysia serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for more effective diagnostic tools, improved antifungal stewardship, and better access to life-saving treatments.
As drug-resistant infections continue to rise globally, healthcare institutions must prioritize research into new antifungal therapies and implement strict infection control measures. The medical community must work collectively to combat the spread of dangerous fungal pathogens and ensure that effective treatments remain available for future generations.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Infection in Developing Countries.
https://www.jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/39863954
https://www.jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/39863954/3557
For the latest on Fungal Pathogens, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-scientists-discover-drug-resistant-hybrid-fungus-aspergillus-latus-involved-in-lung-infections-of-certain-covid-19-patients
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/common-yeast-found-on-fruits-and-certain-foods-able-to-combat--drug-resistant-fungal-infections
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/u-s-medical-news-cdc-sounds-the-alarm-on-deadly-fungus,-candida-auris-ravaging-u-s-healthcare-facilities-at-a-startling-pace
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/u-s-nih-study-finds-that-sars-cov-2-infection-of-the-salivary-glands-causes-weakening-of-antifungal-defenses
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/novel-fungal-sti-predominant-among-gay-men-in-europe-debuts-in-new-york-united-states
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-indian-medical-researchers-warn-that-many-post-covid-individuals-can-develop-fungal-endogenous-endophthalmitis
Share
Tweet
Share
