Candidozyma auris
The characteristics, diagnosis and management of Candidozyma auris (C. auris).
C. auris content is currently under review.
The yeast formerly known as Candida auris has been reclassified as Candidozyma auris following a taxonomic revision in 2023.
Candidozyma auris (C. auris) is a species of yeast which was designated as a critical priority fungal pathogen by the World Health Organization in 2022. It was first discovered in 2009 but has since been detected globally.
C. auris can result in colonisation (where individuals are carrying the organism without signs or symptoms of infection) as well as severe invasive infections. It can also cause outbreaks; this is of concern within healthcare settings, particularly where there are critically unwell patients being cared for in high-dependency or intensive care settings for prolonged periods, or for patients who have weakened immune systems. In settings outside of the UK, invasive C. auris infections have been associated with a high mortality rate. C. auris has also developed resistance to many available classes of antifungals, including the first-line agent fluconazole, and strains of C. auris which are resistant to all antifungals have been detected.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is working with NHS England and other partners to respond to increasing detections of C. auris in hospitals. C. auris, previously rarely detected in England, has been emerging over the last decade, particularly following the lifting of travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Several prolonged C. auris outbreaks have occurred in UK hospitals since 2015, requiring interventions to control them and prevent further spread. Peaks in detections over time have been largely attributed to these. There have been significant healthcare associated outbreaks affecting NHS trusts in London and the South-East of England. Hospital outbreaks can be disruptive and costly due to the substantial service disruption resulting from measures put in place to reduce risk to patients and to control transmission.
From April 2025, C. auris is considered a notifiable organism (causative agent) under Schedule 2 of the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010. This means that laboratories that test human samples in England are required to report C. auris cases to UKHSA. This change aims to strengthen surveillance and inform public health response to this organism. Reporting prior to this date has been on a voluntary basis.
UKHSA will continue to work with the NHS and other partners to closely monitor C. auris and put in place measures to reduce risks to patients and the public.
Guidance for laboratories, healthcare providers and healthcare professionals
Guidance for community care settings
Leaflet for patients and visitors
Epidemiology
Updates to this page
-
Added notice of name change, updated details and added link to 'Candidozyma auris in England: biannual epidemiological commentaries'.
-
Added link to HPR volume 19 issue 3 under 'Epidemiology'.
-
First published.