Lucknow: Patient dies of lethal fungal infection

LUCKNOW: A patient, who died of sepsis at the ventilator unit of King George’s Medical University Trauma Centre on Monday, was also suffering from the lethal fungal infection caused by Candida auris.
The infection was confirmed in microbiology test reports that arrived on Tuesday, making it the second case at the facility in the last one week.
It is the first time Candida auris has been reported in KGMU. The ventilator unit has been closed following an alert by the Infection Control Cell.
Trauma Centre in-charge and King George’s Medical University spokesperson, Dr Sandeep Tiwari, said the deceased, Abdul Mangi (45) was admitted on July 12 with intestinal perforation caused by typhoid that also led to sepsis. After corrective surgery, he was kept on ventilator in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Mangi’s bed was adjacent to Khoob Lal, who was being treated for head injuries caused in an accident. As Lal developed symptoms caused by Candida auris, doctors sent his blood samples for test on July 13. The reports arrived on July 18 confirming Lal had the infection. He was immediately shifted to isolation room.
“On July 20, blood samples of all six ICU patients and staff members were sent for test. However, Mangi’s condition deteriorated and he died on Monday. The reports that arrived on Tuesday showed Mangi was infected,” said Prof GP Singh, incharge of Trauma Centre ventilator units and head of anaesthesia department.
When asked if Mangi died of sepsis or Candida auris infection, Dr Tiwari said, “Nothing can be said with certainty now. We have taken all precautionary measures to check the spread of infection. The ICU has been shut for fumigation. Samples have also been collected from walls, beds and floor. Khoob Lal responded to antifungal drugs and is out of danger now.”
Dr D Himanshu, department of medicine, under whose supervision Lal is being treated now, said “Candida auris can be fatal because it often does not respond to commonly used antifungal drugs, making infections difficult to treat. It occurs in patients with low immunity, especially in ICU, and can spread in entire body through bloodstream.”