Candida haemulonii Species Complex: Emerging Fungal Pathogens of the Metschnikowiaceae Clade

Abstract

Candida species, the most common fungal pathogens affecting humans, cause not only superficial infections but also life-threatening invasive infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Although Candida albicans remains the most frequent cause of candidiasis, infections caused by non-albicans Candida species have been increasingly reported in clinical settings over the past two decades. Recently, species of the Metschnikowiaceae clade including the “superbug” Candida auris and other members of the Candida haemulonii species complex have attracted substantial attention for their multidrug resistance and high rates of transmission in clinical settings. In this review, we summarize the epidemiology, biology, virulence, and drug resistance of the C. haemulonii species complex and discuss potential reasons for the recent increase in the prevalence of infections caused by non-albicans species in clinical settings.