Figure 2: Alternative hypotheses explaining host susceptibility to infection and colonization with C. auris.

A) Antibiotics may open a niche for C. auris colonization by modulating the commensal microbiota via several potential mechanisms. B) Adapted from¹¹⁷, an initial bout of bacterial sepsis may induce immunosuppression, paving the way for secondary infection and mortality, with antibiotic serving as a red herring. The yellow banding indicates a range of immune-competence. C) Vancomycin and other antibiotics may directly modulate the fitness of C. auris by increasing biofilm formation and inducing a state of tolerance, or via other mechanisms. Created with BioRender.com.