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Efficacy of relatively low-cost ultraviolet-C light devices against Candida auris

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2021

Basya S. Pearlmutter ,
Muhammed F. Haq ,
Jennifer L. Cadnum ,
Annette L. Jencson ,
Matthew Carlisle  and
Curtis J. Donskey
Basya S. Pearlmutter
Affiliation:
Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Cleveland Ohio
Muhammed F. Haq
Affiliation:
Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Cleveland Ohio
Jennifer L. Cadnum
Affiliation:
Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Cleveland Ohio
Annette L. Jencson
Affiliation:
Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Cleveland Ohio
Matthew Carlisle
Affiliation:
Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Cleveland Ohio
Curtis J. Donskey*
Affiliation:
Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
*
Author for correspondence: Curtis J. Donskey, E-mail: Curtis.Donskey@va.gov
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Abstract

Background:

Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light devices could be useful to reduce environmental contamination with Candida auris. However, variable susceptibility of C. auris strains to UV-C has been reported, and the high cost of many devices limits their use in resource-limited settings.

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of relatively low-cost (<$15,000 purchase price) UV-C devices against C. auris strains from the 4 major phylogenetic clades.

Methods:

A modification of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard quantitative disk carrier test method (ASTM E 2197) was used to examine and compare the effectiveness of UV-C devices against C. auris, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and bacteriophage Phi6. Reductions of 3 log10 were considered effective. UV-C irradiance measurements and colorimetric indicators were used to assess UV-C output.

Results:

Of 8 relatively low-cost UV-C devices, 6 met the criteria for effective decontamination of C. auris isolates from clades I and II, MRSA, and bacteriophage Phi6, including 3 room decontamination devices and 3 UV-C box devices. Candida auris isolates from clades III and IV were less susceptible to UV-C than clade I and II isolates; 1 relatively low-cost room decontamination device and 2 enclosed box devices met the criteria for effective decontamination of clade III and IV isolates. UV-C irradiance measurements and colorimetric indicator results were consistent with microorganism reductions.

Conclusions:

Some relatively low-cost UV-C light technologies are effective against C. auris, including isolates from clades III and IV with reduced UV-C susceptibility. Studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of UV-C devices in clinical settings.

Type
Original Article
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 43 , Issue 6 , June 2022 , pp. 747 - 751
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

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