Researchers at Porto’s Faculty of Medicine discover a way to combat the deadly “super fungus”

A study by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP) shows that hydrogen peroxide, also known as hydrogen peroxide, is effective in disinfecting hospitals and killing the “super fungus” Candida auris, as was discovered this Monday.

Recalling that this year the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention warned of an alarming increase in infections caused by this “super fungus,” research coordinator Acacio Gonçalves Rodriguez said that FMUP is studying ways to prevent outbreaks. and avoid potentially fatal consequences for patients.

“The results show that hydrogen peroxide does not have significant potential, at least in the short to medium term, to induce resistance in microorganisms, so it can be used safely. This is a reliable and reliable method of disinfecting the premises where they have been admitted. …patients infected with Candida auris,” he said.

Candida auris is a type of fungus that has been associated with numerous outbreaks, serious infections, and high mortality rates worldwide.

We are talking about a pathogenic fungus that can penetrate the blood and affect the entire body.

This mushroom was first identified in 2009 in Japan.

Evidence suggests that candida auris may be hyperresistant and resistant to medications (antifungals) used to treat the infections it causes.

Noting that while hydrogen peroxide is “widely used in medical settings”, whether in liquid, vapor or aerosol form, more evidence is needed about its effectiveness against this fungus, the FMUP professor explained that there is no evidence of the possibility of inducing resistance after the use of H2O2.

“But it is now known that the continued use of hydrogen peroxide, also known as hydrogen peroxide, for the disinfection and sterilization of hospitals and other health care facilities has proven effective,” concluded Acacio Gonçalves Rodriguez in an interview with Lusa.

The FMUP team analyzed three species of Candida – Candida auris, Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis – which were exposed to specific concentrations of hydrogen peroxide for 30 days.

The results show that this disinfectant has equal effectiveness against all Candida species after this period, as stated in the summary of the study sent by FMUP to Lusu.

“The introduction of H2O2 solutions into routine protocols to promote disinfection against Candida auris, improve patient safety and reduce healthcare costs is certainly welcome,” added Acacio Gonçalves Rodriguez.

Recalling the fears and weaknesses that the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed in the healthcare landscape, the professor concluded: “Prevention is the best way to avoid future outbreaks.”

The scientific article, published in the scientific journal Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, was written under the direction of Acacio Gonçalves Rodríguez and also co-authored by Luis Cobrado, Elizabete Ricardo, Patricia Ramalho from FMUP/CINTESIS@RISE and Angela Rita Fernandez from FMUP.