Is Candida auris sexual?
Zoe K. Ross, Alexander Lorenz
Abstract
Sexual reproduction and related processes play a somewhat limited but important role in generating genetic diversity in Candida species and other fungal pathogens. These processes are also thought to be an important contributor to the evolution of pathogenicity and drug resistance. Candida auris is a recently emerged, human-pathogenic yeast causing nosocomial outbreaks all over the globe It can cause serious blood stream infections with the complication that isolates are typically resistant to the available antifungal therapies; mortality rates are approximately 60% [2]. Genetic diversity is likely a major driver of its pathogenesis and virulence features. Here, we discuss which mechanisms could be behind the genetic diversity observed between C. auris isolates. Specifically, our review examines the evidence around sexual reproduction in this fungus.