Transfer of Candidozyma auris to Healthcare Personnel Gloves and/or Gowns From Patients and the Environment: A Multicenter Cohort Study of 109 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Candidozyma auris is an emerging pathogen. We sought to understand risk factors for C auris transmission in acute care hospitals, using transfer of C auris to healthcare personnel (HCP) gloves and/or gowns as a surrogate measure of transmission potential. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter cohort study of HCP gloves and gowns cultured for C auris during routine patient care. Patient samples from 5 body sites and environmental surfaces were also cultured for C auris. RESULTS: Among 109 C auris-colonized patients, we found C auris transfer to HCP gloves and/or gowns in 29% of 1083 HCP interactions. Transfer was highest among nursing assistants/patient care technicians (odds ratio [OR], 5.2 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.4-11.6]), occupational/physical therapists (OR, 4.8 [95% CI, 1.4-16.7]), and respiratory therapists (OR, 4.7 [95% CI, 1.9-11.7]). Transfer was high when HCP touched the patient (OR, 3.32 [95% CI, 2.3-4.9]) compared to touching only an environmental surface. Patients who were colonized at 5 body sites were 15 times more likely to transfer C auris to HCP gloves and/or gown than those colonized at only 1 site (OR, 15.1 [95% CI, 7.5-30.5]). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that transfer of C. auris to HCP gloves and/or gowns, a surrogate for transmission potential, occurs frequently during patient care. Certain HCP and patient care tasks or interactions are associated with higher rates of transfer. Strategies to interrupt transfer of C auris to HCP during patient care are needed to prevent C auris transmission in healthcare facilities.