There may be a dangerous infection "hiding" in your ears
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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A drug-resistant pathogenic fungus, Candida auris, has been found and identified on the ear canal surfaces of stray dogs. Presumably, the ears of pets may also harbor this resistant infection, which poses a significant risk to humans. The problem was shared by scientists from McMaster University and the Indian University of Delhi.
The articulated yeast-like infection can pose a progressive threat to public health because it does not respond to the use of most antifungal medications. This pathogen was first identified by Japanese experts about fifteen years ago, after which the fungus was detected in many countries and even ranked as a critical priority intrahospital fungal pathogen (according to the World Health Organization).
The scientists focused their new research on bacterial communities in skin and ear swabs from about 9 dozen dogs that were kept at a special clinic and animal shelter in Delhi. Among them, more than fifty dogs were strays: they were treated for neglected chronic dermatologic diseases and otitis externa. The rest of the animals belonged to the range of domestic pets. They were treated for varying severity of infectious processes of the digestive tract and urinary system. The diseases of the dogs had nothing to do with the pathogenic fungus detected.
The swab materials obtained were scrutinized for bacterial and fungal composition. The scientists used a standardized diagnostic protocol. As a result, more than 4% of the animals with chronic dermatopathology showed the presence of Candida auris in the ear canal and on the skin surface. DNA examination indicated the presence of genomic similarity between individual strains identified in dogs with strains identified in humans. This suggests that this fungal infection may well spread, including to pets and humans.
The detection of Candida auris in animal and human ears may indicate that auditory canals provide a favorable environment for the growth and development of pathogenic fungi. At the moment, experts are evaluating the possibilities and mechanisms of transportation of the infectious pathogen between animals and humans.
Candida auris is a parasitic microorganism that is resistant to most drugs that are commonly used to treat fungal infections. If the fungus shows such resistance, the treatment does not help to get rid of it, or shows insufficient effectiveness, which also does not lead to a complete cure. As a result, the patient may develop chronic infectious processes, including pneumonia, sepsis, wound infection. Most cases of fungal infection occur through direct contact with the bodily secretions or skin of an infected person or animal.
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