| Title: |
Positive Correlation Between Candida auris SkinColonization Burden and Environmental Contamination at a Ventilator-Capable Skilled Nursing Facility in Chicago. |
| Authors: |
Sexton, D. Joseph, Bentz, Meghan L., Welsh, Rory M., Derado, Gordana, Furin, William, Rose, Laura J., Noble-Wang, Judith, Pacilli, Massimo, McPherson, Tristan D., Black, Stephanie, Kemble, Sarah K., Herzegh, Owen, Ahmad, Ausaf, Forsberg, Kaitlin, Jackson, Brendan, Litvintseva, Anastasia P. |
| Source: |
Clinical Infectious Diseases; 10/1/2021, Vol. 73 Issue 7, p1142-1148, 7p |
| Abstract: |
Background Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that contaminates healthcare environments causing healthcare-associated outbreaks. The mechanisms facilitating contamination are not established. Methods C. auris was quantified in residents’ bilateral axillary/inguinal composite skin swabs and environmental samples during a point-prevalence survey at a ventilator-capable skilled-nursing facility (vSNF A) with documented high colonization prevalence. Environmental samples were collected from all doorknobs, windowsills and handrails of each bed in 12 rooms. C. auris concentrations were measured using culture and C. auris-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) The relationship between C. auris concentrations in residents’ swabs and associated environmental samples were evaluated using Kendall’s tau-b (τ b) correlation coefficient. Results C. auris was detected in 70/100 tested environmental samples and 31/57 tested resident skin swabs. The mean C. auris concentration in skin swabs was 1.22 × 105 cells/mL by culture and 1.08 × 106 cells/mL by qPCR. C. auris was detected on all handrails of beds occupied by colonized residents, as well as 10/24 doorknobs and 9/12 windowsills. A positive correlation was identified between the concentrations of C. auris in skin swabs and associated handrail samples based on culture (τ b = 0.54, P = .0004) and qPCR (τ b = 0.66, P = 3.83e−6). Two uncolonized residents resided in beds contaminated with C. auris. Conclusions Colonized residents can have high C. auris burdens on their skin, which was positively related with contamination of their surrounding healthcare environment. These findings underscore the importance of hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and particularly environmental disinfection in preventing spread in healthcare facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of Clinical Infectious Diseases is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Complementary Index |
