Drug-Resistant Fungus Found Hiding in Human Skin

Drug-Resistant Fungus Found Hiding in Human Skin

A drug-resistant fungus capable of remaining hidden in the human body for months has been reported across 23 states in the United States, according to a new study.

The fungus, Candida auris, can live on the skin without causing noticeable symptoms. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), found that it can take shelter inside hair follicles, making it harder for the body to get rid of it.

In laboratory experiments involving mice, the researchers compared C. auris with Candida albicans, another common fungus.

While the mice were able to clear C. albicans within days, C. auris remained inside their hair follicles.

The study also revealed that the fungus appears to trigger an unusual response from the immune system.

Instead of activating the pathway normally associated with fighting fungal infections, it stimulated interferon gamma, an immune signal more commonly involved in the body’s response to viruses.

Researchers believe this altered response could help C. auris survive and multiply around hair follicles.

The fungus is particularly concerning because it is commonly associated with healthcare facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes.

It can spread through contaminated surfaces and has developed resistance to several antifungal medicines.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies C. auris as an urgent antimicrobial resistance threat.

Healthy people may carry the fungus without becoming seriously ill. However, it can cause severe infections if it enters deeper tissues or the bloodstream, especially in people with weakened immune systems or other serious medical conditions.

About 3,000 cases were reportedly recorded across 23 US states in 2026, including New Jersey. Texas had recorded more than 700 cases by mid-July.

Scientists say the discovery of how C. auris hides in hair follicles could provide important clues for developing better ways to detect, control and treat the increasingly drug-resistant fungus.