Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris): A P6 medicine framework integrating genomics, surveillance and the prevention of multidrug-resistant fungal threats.
- 1University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
- 2Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece.
Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections are major drivers of global morbidity; yet, fungal threats remain under-characterized. Candidozyma auris (C. auris; formerly known as Candida auris) has emerged as a critical public health challenge due to its extensive multidrug-resistant profile, environmental resilience and high transmissibility. Its resistance to major antifungal classes, including azoles, polyenes and echinocandins, severely limits therapeutic options and exposes the limitations of fragmented, discipline-specific healthcare responses. The present conceptual commentary proposes that the persistence of C. auris highlights limitations in fragmented, discipline-specific healthcare responses. Herein, the predictive, preventive, personalized, participatory, psycho-cognitive and public (P6) model of medicine is proposed as a comprehensive framework to move beyond reactive containment. By repositioning clinical microbiology as the entry point for surveillance through early, accurate diagnosis, the P6 model integrates genomic epidemiology, antifungal stewardship and behavioral science to support earlier detection of emerging threats and inform timely clinical, infection prevention and control, and public health responses. The emergence of C. auris provides a practical test of the ability of healthcare systems to integrate microbiological intelligence, prevention strategies and public-health governance by replacing delayed laboratory identification, fragmented surveillance, or poor data sharing. Addressing its high resistance and rapid spread requires an integrative approach that leverages advanced analytics and public health governance. The P6 framework provides a scalable strategy to strengthen health systems against both current and future multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens.
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BibTeX
@article{geronikolou2026candidozyma,
title = {{Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris): A P6 medicine framework integrating genomics, surveillance and the prevention of multidrug-resistant fungal threats.}},
author = {Styliani Geronikolou and George P Chrousos},
journal = {Medicine international},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3892/mi.2026.343},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923313},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris): A P6 medicine framework integrating genomics, surveillance and the prevention of multidrug-resistant fungal threats.
AU - Styliani Geronikolou
AU - George P Chrousos
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Medicine international
DO - 10.3892/mi.2026.343
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923313
AB - Healthcare-associated infections are major drivers of global morbidity; yet, fungal threats remain under-characterized. Candidozyma auris (C. auris; formerly known as Candida auris) has emerged as a critical public health challenge due to its extensive multidrug-resistant profile, environmental resilience and high transmissibility. Its resistance to major antifungal classes, including azoles, polyenes and echinocandins, severely limits therapeutic options and exposes the limitations of fragmented, discipline-specific healthcare responses. The present conceptual commentary proposes that the persistence of C. auris highlights limitations in fragmented, discipline-specific healthcare responses. Herein, the predictive, preventive, personalized, participatory, psycho-cognitive and public (P6) model of medicine is proposed as a comprehensive framework to move beyond reactive containment. By repositioning clinical microbiology as the entry point for surveillance through early, accurate diagnosis, the P6 model integrates genomic epidemiology, antifungal stewardship and behavioral science to support earlier detection of emerging threats and inform timely clinical, infection prevention and control, and public health responses. The emergence of C. auris provides a practical test of the ability of healthcare systems to integrate microbiological intelligence, prevention strategies and public-health governance by replacing delayed laboratory identification, fragmented surveillance, or poor data sharing. Addressing its high resistance and rapid spread requires an integrative approach that leverages advanced analytics and public health governance. The P6 framework provides a scalable strategy to strengthen health systems against both current and future multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens.
SN - 2754-3242
SN - 2754-1304
ER -