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294. Assessment of Disinfectants for Reducing Candida auris Burden on Needleless Connectors: an In Vitro Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Candida auris, an emerging fungal pathogen, has triggered outbreaks in healthcare settings. It frequently colonizes patient skin, surfaces in their immediate clinical environment, and medical devices, including central venous catheters and connectors. Effective disinfection is vital for patient safety. However, many commonly used disinfectants may have limited efficacy against C. auris and their ability to clean contaminated connects remain uncertain. This study assesses the effectiveness of commonly used disinfectants in reducing C. auris contamination in needleless connectors. Changes in C. auris and C. albicans catheter contamination after disinfecting with several commonly used products. Methods Needleless connectors of Arrowg+ard Blue Plus® Four-Lumen Catheters were contaminated with C. auris and C. albicans over a 24-hour period. Disinfection procedures involved using single-use disinfecting cap protectors containing 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA), wipes with 70% IPA, and wipes containing 3.15% chlorhexidine gluconate plus 70% IPA (CHG + IPA). The disinfection process included mechanically rotating the wipes and caps in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions for 15 seconds, followed by allowing the connectors to dry for an additional 15 seconds. Treated and control connectors were then immersed in 1 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution, placed in an ultrasonic bath for 1 minute, and subsequently enumerated on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Results Two strains of C. auris and one strain of C. albicans were used. Under untreated conditions, C. auris exhibited colonization ranging from 4.4 to 5.0 log10 CFU/ml. Disinfection procedures resulted in a reduction of C. auris fungal load by 1.43 to 2.90 log10 CFU/ml, indicating a 91.2% to 99.9% reduction in CFU/ml across all products. However, efficacy was lower with IPA alone (refer to Table 1). Against C. albicans, disinfecting products reduced the fungal load from 3.66 log10 CFU/ml to 0.82 to 1.52 log10 CFU/ml, representing >99.2% reduction in all conditions, with the most significant reduction observed with the IPA cap and CHG + IPA wipe. Conclusion Our findings indicate that commonly used disinfectants have limited efficacy against C. auris colonization in needleless connectors compared to C. abicans. Further research is warranted to assess optimal methods and products for decontaminating devices from this emerging pathogen. Disclosures Cesar A. Arias, MD, MSc, PhD, UpToDate, Inc.: Royalties

Source: Open Forum Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae631.084

Authors: Truc Cecilia Tran, Max W Adelman, Shiva Murali, Adriana Jimenez, Cesar A Arias, Bhavarth S Shukla

Institutions: Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist, University of Miami Health System, University of Miami

Language: English

Topic: Infection Control in Healthcare

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,053