An experimental model for study ofCandida survival and transmission in human volunteers

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Abstract
In order to determine the potential for cross-transmission ofCandida spp. between health-care workers and patients, the survival of clinical isolates of five species ofCandida on the palms of human volunteers was tested. One hundred µl of a McFarland 1.0 density suspension (5×105 cfu) from an overnight culture ofCandida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis andCandida glabrata was used as inoculum. The degree of hydrophobicity of the differentCandida species was also tested and did not influence the survival. The half-lives were brief, being 9.5, 12.4, 7.4, 12.8, 9.6 min forCandida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, andCandida tropicalis, respectively, but at 45 min 2.6 × 103 to 3 × 104 organisms remained on the hands. Survival ofCandida albicans for as long as 24 h on inanimate surfaces was observed. Transmission from one hand to a second hand occurred in 69 % of the experiments and from the first to a third hand in 38 %. Transmission to and from inanimate surfaces was successful in most of the experiments (90 %). This experimental model aids in the biological study ofCandida spp. and suggests some of the potential mechanisms of transmission.