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Volume 32, Number 9—September 2026
Dispatch
Wickerhamomyces anomalus Pseudo-Outbreak Associated with Medical Lubricating Gel, South Africa, 2023–2024
Caroline Maluleka
, Husna Ismail, Liliwe Shuping, Ruth Mpembe, Gift Sandhleni, Serisha Naicker, Tsidiso Maphanga, and Nelesh P. Govender
, Husna Ismail, Liliwe Shuping, Ruth Mpembe, Gift Sandhleni, Serisha Naicker, Tsidiso Maphanga, and Nelesh P. Govender
Table
Characteristics of patients with Wickerhamomyces anomalus infection in 2 hospitals, South Africa, August 7, 2023–January 11, 2024*
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Median age, y (IQR) |
23 (0–47) |
| Sex, n = 49 | |
| F | 18 (37) |
| M |
31 (63) |
| Underlying condition or procedure, n = 36 | |
| HIV | 6 (17) |
| Chronic kidney disease | 7 (19) |
| Surgical procedure | 10 (28) |
| Other |
23 (64) |
| Gel-use–linked procedure, n = 38† | |
| Urinary catheterization | 24 (63) |
| Endotracheal intubation | 13 (48) |
| Ultrasound scan | 10 (42) |
| Other‡ |
10 (42) |
| Specimen type, n = 51 | |
| Urine | 26 (51) |
| Tracheal aspirate | 13 (26) |
| Peritoneal dialysis fluid | 6 (12) |
| Blood | 4 (8) |
| Bronchial alveolar lavage | 1 (2) |
| Tissue |
1 (2) |
| W. anomalus–linked diagnosis by treating clinician, n = 48 | |
| Considered a contaminant | 20 (42) |
| Urinary tract infection | 15 (31) |
| Lower respiratory tract infection | 8 (17) |
| Bloodstream infection | 2 (4) |
| Peritonitis |
3 (6) |
| Antifungal treatment administered, n = 44 | |
| Yes | 10 (23) |
| No |
34 (77) |
| Adverse events related to W. anomalus infection, n = 51 | |
| No | 30 (59) |
| Unknown |
21 (41) |
| Outcome, n = 50 | |
| Still admitted | 6 (12) |
| Discharged | 30 (60) |
| Died | 14 (28) |
*Values are no. (%) except as indicated; IQR, interquartile range. †Denominators vary because of missing data; some persons had >1 procedure linked to the use of lubricating gel. ‡Includes nasogastric tubing (n = 5), bronchoscopy (n = 1), rectal enema (n = 1), Pap smear (n = 1), vaginal examination and cardiotocography (n = 1), and tracheal dilation (n = 1).
Page created: July 30, 2026
Page updated: August 18, 2026
Page reviewed: August 18, 2026
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