Upgraded candida.app empowers global surveillance of deadly fungus Candida auris

Candida auris remains a major global health concern, causing outbreaks and invasive infections worldwide. This emerging fungal pathogen is concerning due to its high mortality, resistance to multiple antifungal drugs, and rapid spread within healthcare facilities. As cases continue to rise, there is a growing need for easy-to-use genomic surveillance tools.

Previously, we launched candida.app, a free web app for genomic characterization of Candida auris isolates. Now, we’re excited to announce a major update that expands the capabilities of this platform. The updated candida.app allows users to rapidly compare their Candida auris isolates to publicly available genomic data, providing insights into the geographic origin and evolutionary relationships of their samples. This empowers researchers and clinicians to conduct real-time genomic surveillance and understand the global spread of Candida auris.

Candida.app helps users compare local isolates to public surveillance data

The updated platform allows users to quickly upload their Candida auris genome sequences and compare them against a database of publicly available isolates. This helps researchers and clinicians identify potential transmission links, track the spread of genotypes, and monitor new strains. By facilitating real-time genomic surveillance, the enhanced candida.app empowers the global health community to understand and respond to Candida auris.

How candida.app works

Candida.app is built on Solu Platform, our powerful engine for analyzing microbial genome sequencing data.

Here's a quick overview of how the updated candida.app works:

1. Users upload their Candida auris genome sequence to the app in FASTA or FNA format.
2. The app compares the uploaded genome to a large database of known Candida auris genomes from around the world, sourced from public genome repositories like GenBank.
3. By comparing the new genome to the database, the app can rapidly identify which Candida auris clade the sample belongs to, providing clues about its origin.
4. The app scans the genome for genetic mutations that resist antifungal drugs to determine if the Candida auris strain is resistant to common treatments.
5. Finally, the app places the new genome sample on an evolutionary tree of all known Candida auris strains. This shows how the sample is related to other isolates, enabling researchers to track transmission and outbreaks.

Review the full technical methodology on the app’s pipeline description page.

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More information

Candida app: https://candida.app