A deadly mushroom attacks the countries of South America: the alert in Argentina

A deadly mushroom attacks the countries of South America and puts Argentina on alert. This is Candida auris, which affects immunocompromised patients, mainly those who are in intensive care for extended periods. The fungus is difficult to fight because it is resistant to most drugs, said Clarín.

Although there have been no cases in Argentina, doctors in the country are on alert. Cases have been reported in Colombia and Venezuela. The first case of Candida auris dates back to 2009 in Japan. The fungus is widespread in South Korea, South Africa, Kuwait and India. The Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization issued an alert in October 2016 "before the first outbreaks in Latin America". At that time, there were cases in Venezuela and Colombia. Always in the United States.

There were 309 confirmed cases in New York, 144 in Illinois and 104 in New Jersey. Given this number of cases, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement late last month warning that this fungus "This represents a serious threat to global health."

Constanza Taverna, from the Department of Mycology of the Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán Institute, explained to Clarín that there had been no cases reported so far in Argentina, though that was not the case. he recognized that the mushroom could be installed anywhere.

"The alert started in November 2016 through the PAHO / WHO .We also issued a statement alerting all laboratories because we have a network of laboratories, which was also published by the Argentine Association of Microbiology, "explained Taverna.

"What we have is the diagnostic ability to detect it, and that is why we are preparing labs so that they know how to function in case of contention." We give training courses and we communicate constantly with all laboratories, "he added.

In terms of transmission, the expert explained that "this is not a virus", but that they are called "opportunistic pathogens".

"In general, this concerns immunocompromised patients, patients hospitalized for several days, those on antibiotics for several days, those who have a catheter," he added.

Taverna explained that if a person infected in another country and then going to Argentina can transfer the fungus because it "persists in the body".

"Now, in the state of alert, the patient is not usually released until some samples have been taken and it is determined that he no more in the body, "he added.

With regard to forms of prevention, Dr. Eduardo López, infectious disease specialist at Ricardo Gutiérrez Children's Hospital, told Clarín that it was necessary to wash hands frequently, to wear gloves and a camisole for the management of patients, particularly immunocompromised patients. They are the ones most affected.