This quantitative and qualitative study aimed to evaluate the level of fungal contamination in aerosols dispersed by high rotation pens in dental clinics from Teresina, Piaui, Brazil. The data were collected during the attendance at two dental clinics. Petri dishes containing Sabouraud agar with chloramphenicol were opened for 15 min in the following places: in front of the chair, on the partitions to the right and left of the chair, and in the neighboring workbench. The plates were incubated at room temperature to allow the fungal growth and subsequent species identification. Colonies were formed in 100% of the plaques, accounting for 49 isolates belonging to 19 species, where the most frequent were: Curvularia clavata, Aspergillus niger, Phialemonium obovatum, Curvularia geniculata, and Scopulariopsis koningii. All identified species are pathogenic, and may develop allergic respiratory tract infections and even systemic infections in the patient and the dental surgeon. Our results indicate that the minimum safety distance between the dental chairs defended by the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency is insufficient and that the boxes are an efficient variable to minimize the dispersion of fungal aerosols in the dental environment. Based on these findings, we recommend the adoption of a minimum safety distance of more than 2 m and the use of boxes between the dental chairs, as well as a biweekly cleaning of the air-conditioned system and water lines as viable and efficient measures for reduction of the formation and dispersion of fungal aerosols in these environments.

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This quantitative and qualitative study aimed to identify fungi isolated from patient beds at a reference hospital in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, and evaluate the efficacy of 70 % ethanol and 1 % hypochlorite for removing the contamination. Thirty-eight beds were chosen at random and the collection was carried out in three situations: before and after disinfection with 70 % alcohol or hypochlorite 1 %. Each sample was inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol and incubated at room temperature to allow fungal growth. We identified 13 species belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Rhizopus, Penicillium, and Candida. All of these species are pathogenic and can worsen the clinical condition of patients. The 1 % hypochlorite solution proved to be an efficient disinfectant against the fungi, but the same was not observed using 70 % ethanol. Based on these findings, we recommended that the use of 1 % hypochlorite during bed disinfection be added to the hospital biosafety protocol to reduce cross contamination and contribute to patient recovery.

Background: The white medical coats used by health professionals may serve as a source of infection in health services because it is a potential vehicle for transmission of microorganisms. There are several studies that warn of the inherent dangers in bacterial contamination in lab coats, but there are few reports of fungal contamination in this personal protection equipment. Aims:The study aims to identify fungi in dental lab coats and to propose an adequate cleaning methodology for these lab coats.Method: Samples were collected from ten dentists from a dentistryschool clinic of a higher education institution of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, using sterile swab, soaked in sterile saline contained in a test tube. Each sample was inoculated on chloramphenicol-containing Saboroud Dextrose agar and incubated at room temperature for fungal growth. Phenotypic and biochemical methods were used to identify the colonies. Results:Fungal growth was observed in all samples of the lab coats, and 19 isolates were counted. The genera Cladosporium and Aspergillus were the most frequent in this study. The results emphasize the role of fungi as contaminants in lab coats; and, as an effective means of transmission of pathogens in the community. Conclusions:This study suggests to wash the coat after each working day using water and soap to remove the first dirt. Then immerse in solution one liter of water to 3ml of bleach for five minutes. Furthermore, this work advocates the need to implement more rigid norms