Bram Spruijtenburg, Jacques F. Meis, Norman van Rhijn, Martina Čurdová, Eva Kašperová, Petr Vašek, Lucie Bartoníčková, Jan Kubele, Petra Olišarová, Kateřina Svobodová, Daniela Lžičařová, Dana Němcová, Věra Kůrková, Šárka Lásiková, Naďa Mallátová, Theun de Groot, Pavlína Lysková, Eelco F. J. Meijer
BACKGROUND Candidozyma auris has emerged globally as a major threat to public health due to its outbreak causing capacity and antifungal resistance. Outbreaks have proven difficult to control despite enhanced infection prevention measures. Thus, national surveillance is warranted. AIM We aim to characterise the epidemiology of C. auris cases in Czechia between 2022 and 2024 to investigate whether autochthonous spread is occurring and asses antifungal resistance. METHODS High-resolution genotyping was performed to assess genetic relatedness between isolates. Microbroth dilution was performed on all isolates and underlying mechanisms resistance were inspected with whole genome sequencing. RESULTS Eight cases from seven different hospitals were reported, mainly collected from non-sterile sites, in addition to the first documented prosthetic joint infection by C. auris . Only two patients reported travel history. Three clades were found, with the first report of Clade IV in Europe. For one patient, initial isolates were pan-susceptible but after short exposure to fluconazole became resistant with a novel mechanism. CONCLUSION C. auris reported in Czechia in patients without travel history suggests autochthonous spread. Three clades were present, often with unknown route of introduction. Development of fluconazole resistance upon brief exposure highlights the ability of C. auris to rapidly evolve.