Shining light on multi ‐drug resistant Candida auris: Ultraviolet‐C disinfection, wavelength sensitivity, and prevention of biofilm formation of an emerging yeast pathogen

The objectives of this study were (1) To investigate UVC disinfection performances and wavelength sensitivity ofC. auris. (2) To evaluate the UVC dose required for the prevention of biofilm formation on stainless-steel, plastic (polystyrene), and poly-cotton fabric surfaces.C. auris was grown following standard procedures. The study utilized six different UVC LED arrays with wavelengths between 252 and 280  nm. Arrays were set at similar intensities, to obtain doses of 5–40 mJ cm−2 and similar irradiation time. Disinfection performance for each array was determined using log reduction value (LRV) and percentage reduction by comparing the controls against the irradiated treatments. Evaluation of the ability of 267  nm UVC LEDs to preventC. auris biofilm formation was investigated using stainless-steel, plastic coupons, and poly-cotton fabric. Peak sensitivity to UVC disinfection was between 267 and 270  nm. With 20 mJ cm−2, the study obtained ≥LRV3. On stainless-steel coupons, 30 mJ cm−2 was sufficient to prevent biofilm formation, while on plastic, this required 10 mJ  cm−2. A dose of 60 mJ  cm−2 reduced biofilms on poly-cotton fabric significantly (R2 = 0.9750,p = 0.0002). The study may allow for the design and implementation of disinfection systems.
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research