Differential susceptibility of Candida (Candidozyma) auris clades to surface disinfectants

Authors

A Lang, H Gabriel, TL Meister, JF Meis, E Steinmann, FHH Brill, J Steinmann

Bibliography

Journal of Hospital Infection | Volume 167 | January 2026 | Pages 91-99 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.10.003

Abstract

Background: Candida (Candidozyma) auris is a globally emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that causes nosocomial outbreaks in healthcare facilities.

Aim: To evaluate the susceptibility of different C. auris clade strains (I to V) and C. albicans ATCC 10231 strain to commonly used disinfecting agents and commercially available ready-to-use disinfecting wipes.

Methods: Standardized tests (EN 13624:2013 and EN 16615:2015).

Findings: Suspension tests under EN 13624:2013 guidelines revealed that the ethanol-based disinfectant at 40% concentration effectively achieved a 4 log10 reduction for all tested Candida strains. Quaternary ammonium compound (QAC)-based disinfectants, however, displayed greater inter-species and inter-clade variations. When tested under the EN 16615:2015 four-field method, the ethanol-based commercial disinfectant wipe did not meet the required criteria (≥4 log10 reduction, <50 cfu transfer) for C. albicans and C. auris under dirty conditions, with the exception of the clade II strain. The QAC-based product showed uniform efficacy across all C. auris strains under dirty conditions, while C. albicans test data did not meet the EN standard requirements. Propanol/QAC-based disinfectant wipes achieved effective inactivation of C. auris strains under clean conditions, but not the C. albicans ATCC strain. Hydrogen peroxide-based wipes failed to reach the necessary reduction factor across all tested Candida strains under dirty conditions.

Conclusion: These results emphasize the variability in the disinfecting efficacy of commercially available products with yeasticidal claim between C. auris clades and C. albicans in practice-like tests. Further research is needed to determine effective disinfection strategies against the various C. auris clades.