Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>Candida auris</jats:italic> a frequently multidrug‐resistant yeast species that poses a global health threat due to its high potential for hospital outbreaks. While <jats:italic>C</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>auris</jats:italic> has become endemic in parts of Asia and Africa, transmissions have so far rarely been reported in Western Europe except for Great Britain and Spain. We describe the first documented patient‐to‐patient transmission of <jats:italic>C</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>auris</jats:italic> in Germany in a COVID‐19 intensive care unit (ICU) and infection control measures implemented to prevent further spread of the pathogen.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>Identification of <jats:italic>C</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>auris</jats:italic> was performed by MALDI‐TOF and confirmed by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out. We conducted repeated cross‐sectional examinations for the presence of <jats:italic>C</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>auris</jats:italic> in the patients of the affected ICU and investigated possible routes of transmission.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The index patient had been transferred to Germany from a hospital in Northern Africa and was found to be colonised with <jats:italic>C</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>auris</jats:italic>. The contact patient developed <jats:italic>C</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>auris</jats:italic> sepsis. Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures included strict isolation of the two <jats:italic>C</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>auris</jats:italic> patients and regular screening of non‐affected patients. No further case occurred during the subsequent weeks. Reusable blades used in video laryngoscope‐guided intubation were considered as the most likely vehicle of transmission.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>In view of its high risk of transmission, vigilance regarding <jats:italic>C</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>auris</jats:italic> colonisation in patients referred from endemic countries is crucial. Strict and immediate IPC measures may have the potential to prevent <jats:italic>C</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>auris</jats:italic> outbreaks.</jats:p></jats:sec>