1146. Effectiveness of Ultraviolet Irradiation on Candida auris: A Laboratory Study

Abstract

Background Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant yeast which persists on healthcare surfaces for prolonged periods of time and is an emerging pathogen in hospitals. It has been linked to healthcare-associated infection (HAI) through surface transmission. Mobile ultraviolet (UV) light emitting devices from mercury sources have been shown to be effective in reducing C. auris bioburden but require prolonged exposure. In this study, we demonstrate the efficacy of an UV emitting device used in our hospital for terminal disinfection on C. auris.MethodsTwo C. auris strains (AR-381-CAU-01 and CAU-02) isolates obtained from Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) were used along with a Candida albicans (C. albicans) strain. An organism load of 10 μL containing 106 colony forming unit (CFU) was spread on a 20-mm diameter stainless steel coupon and exposed to the UV source from a pulsed xenon device at 5 feet distance and 4 feet height for 5, 10, and 30 minutes. Killing efficacy in terms of log reduction was calculated in comparison to untreated control coupons.ResultsMean CFU log10 reduction for C. albicans, CAU-01, and CAU-02 was 0.547, 1.051, and 0.952 at 5 minutes; 1.412, 1.975, and 1.879 at 10 minutes; and 2.639, 3.971, and 4.145 at 30 minutes, respectively. Figure 1 describes the mean log10 reduction as well as the minimum and maximum log reduction by isolates.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the UV from a pulsed xenon device is effective in reducing the C. auris on stainless steel coupons. Similar to previously published data on reduction of C. auris by other UV sources, extended exposure is required to achieve a higher log reduction of C. auris. We did not have any C. auris clinical infections to assess efficacy of UV on HAI reduction. Disclosures C. Jinadatha, Xenex Healthcare Service: Grant Investigator, Research grant.