Clinical and microbiological characteristics of a hospital outbreak of Candida auris in a referral hospital in Lima, Peru

Background Candida auris, a multidrug‐resistant fungal pathogen, has received considerable attention owing to its recent surge, especially in South America, which coincides with the ongoing global COVID‐19 pandemic. Understanding the clinical and microbiological characteristics of outbreaks is crucial for their effective management and control. Objective This retrospective observational study aimed to characterize a C. auris outbreak at a Peruvian referral hospital between January 2021 and July 2023. Methods Data were collected from hospitalized patients with positive C. auris culture results. Microbiological data and antifungal susceptibility test results were analysed. Additionally, infection prevention and control measures have been described. Statistical analysis was used to compare the characteristics between the infected and colonized patients. Results Thirty‐three patients were identified, mostly male (66.7%), with a median age of 53 years. Among them, 18 (54.5%) were colonized, and 15 (45.5%) were infected. Fungemia was the predominant presentation (80%), with notable cases of fungemia in tuberculosis patients with long‐stay devices for parenteral anti‐tuberculosis therapy. Seventy‐five percent of the isolates exhibited fluconazole resistance. Echinocandins were the primary treatment, preventing fungemia recurrence within 30 days. Infected patients had significantly longer hospital stays than colonized patients (100 vs. 45 days; p = .023). Hospital mortality rates were 46.7% and 25% in the infected and fungemia patients, respectively. Simultaneous outbreaks of multidrug‐resistant bacteria were documented. Conclusions This study underscores the severity of a C. auris outbreak at a referral hospital in Peru, highlighting its significant impact on patient outcomes and healthcare resources. The high prevalence of fluconazole‐resistant isolates, leading to prolonged hospital stay and high mortality rates, particularly in cases of fungemia, underscores the critical need for effective infection prevention and control strategies.