As Candida auris spreads, UT Health San Antonio scientist highlights growing threat of antifungal resistance

August 11, 2026 - 17:59

A dangerous fungus that resists standard treatments is now present in 27 states, and Texas ranks second in the nation for clinical cases. The pathogen, Candida auris, can cause severe bloodstream infections with a high death rate, especially in hospitalized patients and those with weakened immune systems.

A researcher at UT Health San Antonio is drawing attention to the broader problem of antifungal resistance, which he says is becoming a silent crisis. The scientist warns that overuse of antifungal drugs in agriculture and medicine is speeding up the evolution of resistant strains. Unlike bacteria, fungi share genetic material more easily, so resistance can spread quickly between species.

Candida auris was first reported in the United States in 2016. Since then, it has been found in healthcare facilities across the country, often lingering on surfaces and medical equipment. It can survive standard cleaning methods, making outbreaks hard to contain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists it as an urgent threat.

Texas has reported a significant number of clinical cases, meaning infections that require treatment, not just colonizations where the fungus is present but not causing illness. The state's large healthcare network and warm climate may contribute to its spread.

The UT Health scientist stresses that new antifungal drugs are not being developed fast enough to keep pace with resistance. He calls for better infection control practices, faster diagnostic tests, and more research into treatment alternatives. Without these steps, he says, the medical community may face a future where common fungal infections become untreatable.