Unmasking Candidozyma auris: Whole Genome Sequencing-Driven Discoveries in Pathogenesis and Treatment Innovation

Organization (WHO), the annual incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) was estimated as 6.5 million cases worldwide and 3.8 million deaths.Among these deaths, around 2.5 million were considered directly attributable to IFIs, underscoring the significant contribution of these infections to global morbidity and mortality.3 Examples of IFIs of serious concern include those caused by the fungal pathogens identified as critical priorities.According to the WHO Fungal Priority Pathogen List published in 2022, the fungal pathogens identified as critical priorities are Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans.Due to rapid spread, multidrug resistance, and high mortality rates (30%-60%), Candidozyma auris (formerly known as Candida auris) is prioritised in this list as well beside the other medically essential fungi.4 C.auris was first isolated from the external ear canal of a patient in Japan in 2009, resembling Candida haemulonii, 5 and was later isolated in 2011 from a blood culture.4 Within 10 years, C.auris