Prevalence And Clinical Significance Of Candida Auris Colonization And Bloodstream Infection In Intensive Care Units (Icus) Across Saudi Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Candida auris is a new multidrug resistant pathogenic fungi which is of high risk to the critically ill patients particularly in the intensive care units (ICUs). This has led to the colonization of the skin, hospital survival, and resistance to a number of antifungal agents thus leading to outbreak of the agent all over the world including Saudi Arabia. The reason why C.auris is considered a national surveillance and infection control priority is due to the susceptibility of vulnerable patients in the ICU (patients subject to invasive procedures, immunosuppression, and prolonged hospitalization).

Research Objective: The main objective of this systematic review was to systematically evaluate and summarize previously published articles that assessed the prevalence and clinical significance of Candida auris colonization and bloodstream infections in hospital ICU settings in Saudi Arabia.

Research Methods: According to PRISMA, a comprehensive search of the literature in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the regional databases was conducted; those publications that were published in 2018-2025 were taken into account. The studies met the criteria because they were either observational, outbreak studies, or reports on surveillance of ICU patients in Saudi Arabia that were colonized or had suffered BSIs of C. aureus. Two reviewers independently took out data, which comprised of prevalence rates, clinical features, antifungal susceptibility pattern and mortality rates. Quality assessment and thematic synthesis were applied in order to be methodologically rigorous.

Conclusion: There is a high resistance to fluconazole and inconsistent susceptibility to other antifungals thus making the treatment difficult. Infection control lapses and absence of national surveillance are some of the factors that continue to advance the risk of transmission. The three most crucial activities to mitigate the circumstances of C. aureus in Saudi critical care units include increased diagnostic capacity, application of standardized screening regimes, and antifungal stewardship.