Molecular Epidemiology of Candidozyma auris Within a Case Cluster in North-Central Florida: Diverse Origins and Long-term Persistence of Strains

Le résumé fourni par la source

Abstract Background Candidozyma auris, first recognized in 2009, has emerged as a pathogen of major global concern, particularly in association with health care–associated infections in long-term care facilities. Methods In a study of infected and colonized patients conducted between 1/17/2023 and 11/30/2023 at our medical center in North-Central Florida, whole-genome sequence data were obtained for 43 C. auris isolates from 36 patients. Results Thirteen (30%) of the 43 isolates were from cultures collected as part of an investigation of a possible infection, with blood (7 isolates) being the most common source; 8 (62%) of the 13 patients with clinical infections died. Isolates were within either a Clade I monophyletic subclade associated with European and Middle Eastern strains (n = 27) or were from Florida subclades within C. auris Clade III (n = 16). In 7 instances, multiple isolates with virtually identical genetic profiles were isolated from the same patient at time intervals that ranged from 3 weeks to 7 months, with, in some instances, intervening negative cultures. All isolates were resistant to triazoles, albeit with resistance mutations at different nucleotide positions and within different genes for Clade I and Clade III isolates. One Clade I isolate was resistant to echinocandins. Conclusions Data are consistent with a point-source C. auris outbreak involving a Clade I subclade of possible European origin, combined with multiple introductions and transmission of Clade III isolates from Florida. Strains were able to persist for extended periods of time in colonized/infected patients.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.