UCSF Study Explains Candida Auris Persistence in Hair Follicles

A study published in Science on August 6, 2026, reveals that the deadly fungus Candida auris persists on human skin by hiding in hair follicles and rewiring immune responses.

Researchers found that while common fungi trigger IL-17 to clear infections, C. auris exposes chitin to trigger interferon gamma, which blocks antifungal defenses and damages skin cells.

The pathogen, which kills about 3,000 patients annually in the US, is currently confirmed in 27 states and remains difficult to remove from the skin due to its unique immune-evasion strategy.