Transmission patterns of Candida auris among regional healthcare facilities revealed by genomic epidemiology and patient transfer data

Candida auris emerged in Chicago, IL, USA in 2016 and has since become endemic. We used whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 494 isolates, epidemiologic metadata, and patient transfer data to describe the transmission of C. auris among Chicago healthcare facilities between 2016 - 2021. 99% of isolates formed a single clade IV phylogenetic lineage, suggesting a single introduction. Isolates were grouped into genomic clusters based on phylogenetic clustering and relatedness. Isolates from 14 facilities were included in 77 genomic clusters with evidence of inter- and intra-facility transmission; 62% of isolates included in genomic clusters clustered with another from the same facility. Patient transfer data corroborated transmission among facilities in large genomic clusters and patient transfers between facilities correlated with more similar genomes. 30% of individuals who had serial samples collected over time had isolates collected during different facility stays. Most of these individuals carried closely related isolates over time, although 25% carried isolates whose genomes diverged. Integrating WGS data and patient metadata to describe inter- and intra-facility clusters revealed regional transmission patterns within and between healthcare facilities that could be used to guide targeted interventions to prevent transmission. Given that patient transfer data were concordant with WGS analysis, they may serve as a predictive tool for risk of inter-facility transmission.