We Are Family: Comparative Study of Candida Species and Candidozyma auris in Laundry (EN 17658) and Surface (Biofilm) Disinfection

Abstract

The rising prevalence of Candidozyma auris and Candida parapsilosis, characterized by high surface persistence and biofilm-forming capabilities, challenges the efficacy of standard laundry and surface disinfection protocols. This study evaluated the effectiveness of laundry processes according to EN 17658 at 20 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C and two surface disinfectants (bead assay for biofilms) against two Candida albicans strains, C. parapsilosis, and C. auris. Results indicated that C. auris is more resilient than other strains, surviving laundry treatment with activated oxygen bleach at 40 °C; maximum efficacy required a colour powder detergent supplemented with a bleach-releasing additive at 40 °C. While alcohol- and aldehyde-based surface disinfectants were effective per EN 13697 criteria, their efficacy against biofilms—tested on glass, stainless steel, polypropylene, and PTFE—was highly dependent on both the strain and the surface material. These findings demonstrate the reduced susceptibility of C. auris to standard laundry disinfection and highlight that biofilm eradication is a complex process influenced by strain-specific attributes and surface characteristics.