Axillary Digital Thermometers uplifted a multidrug‐susceptible Candidaauris outbreak among COVID‐19 patients in Brazil

• DOI: 10.1111/myc.13320
• Publication Date: 2021-05-19T15:56:04Z
• Authors: João Nobrega de A...; Igor B. Brandão; Elaine C. Francisco; Silvio Luis R. de...; Patrícia de Olive...; Felicidade M. Per...; Fábio Santos Ferr...; Thaisse Souza de ...; Magda M. de Miran...; Regiane T. de Sou...; Jacques F. Meis; Arnaldo L. Colombo
• Keywords: Candida auris; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Abstract Objectives To describe the first outbreak of Candida auris in Brazil, including epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data. Methods After ‐colonised patient was diagnosed a COVID‐19 ICU at hospital Salvador, multidisciplinary team conducted local C . prevalence investigation. Screening cultures for were collected from patients, healthcare workers inanimate surfaces. Risk factors colonisation evaluated, fungemia episodes that occurred after investigation also analysed described. Antifungal susceptibility isolates determined, they genotyped with microsatellite analysis. Results Among body swabs 47 eight ( n = 8/47, 17%) samples axillae positive surfaces, digital thermometers had highest rate 17%). testing showed MICs 0.5 to 1 mg/L AMB, 0.03 0.06 voriconazole, 2 4 fluconazole anidulafungin. Microsatellite analysis revealed all belong South Asian clade (Clade I) different genotypes. In multivariate analysis, having colonised thermometer only independent risk factor associated colonisation. Three investigation, 30‐day attributable mortality 33.3%. Conclusions Emergence may be related I closely Contaminated axillary monitoring facilitate dissemination reinforcing concept these reusable devices should carefully cleaned an effective disinfectant or replaced by other temperature methods.