Does repeated exposure to hydrogen peroxide induce Candida auris resistance?

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant concern.
• Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a known biocide, but its efficacy against Candida auris and potential for resistance induction require further investigation.
• Candida auris is an emergent yeast posing challenges in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the induction of Candida auris resistance after 30 days of exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
• To compare the efficacy of H2O2 against Candida auris with other Candida species.
• To determine if different strains of C. auris exhibit varying susceptibilities to H2O2.

Main Methods:

• Repeatedly exposed type strains and clinical isolates of Candida auris, Candida albicans, and Candida parapsilosis to H2O2 for 30 days.
• Assessed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to detect resistance induction.
• Compared H2O2 efficacy across different Candida species and C. auris strains.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in H2O2 minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were observed between induced and control strains.
• Hydrogen peroxide demonstrated similar effectiveness against all tested Candida species.
• No differences in susceptibility to H2O2 were found among distinct strains of Candida auris.

Conclusions:

• Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) does not appear to induce resistance in Candida auris with repeated exposure.
• H2O2 is effective against various Candida species, including C. auris.
• The adoption of H2O2 for disinfection protocols against C. auris is recommended to enhance patient safety and reduce healthcare costs.