Fungi in the Air of Hospital Wards

Abstract

SUMMARYThe fungal flora of the air of hospital wards was investigated by using slit samplers. Isolations were made on Sabouraud glucose agar and particular attention was paid to the flora which grew a t 37". Aspergillus fumigatus was recovered on each of the 78 days of sampling and reached peak of incidence in the autumn and winter months ; no other fungal species was recovered a t 37" with such regularity. Bed sweeps revealed the presence of these fungi on blankets in the hospital wards. The mean equivalent diameter of the air-borne particles was determined for several fungal species and was found to correspond closely to that of individual spores. No dissemination of fungal particles by four patients with the hypersensitivity type of aspergillosis or by one patient with an aspergillus mycetoma was observed.

Zygomycetes in Human Disease

“…The spores from asexual reproduction are easily airborne and may be demonstrated during sampling of both outdoor and indoor air (27,51,107,265,329). The small sporangiospore size (mean size, 6.6 m) allows easy dissemination by the airborne route.…”

“…The small sporangiospore size (mean size, 6.6 m) allows easy dissemination by the airborne route. Particles of this size have a settling rate that is very low and, as a result, may remain airborne even with very slight movements in air (329). The Mucorales may be seen in the laboratory as clinical contaminants, presumably as a result of airborne contamination of the culture medium, or they may be seen in clinical specimens as a result of oral or nasal ingestion in food or air prior to sample collection.…”

“…It has been cited as the most common thermophilic fungus to be isolated from soybeans in Egypt (142). Spores from Rhizomucor are easily airborne due to their small size and have been isolated from air samples collected outdoors (335) and in hospitals (113,329,434).…”

“…They have also been cultured from various seeds and nuts including Brazil nuts, peas, and the seeds of spinach, parsley, flax, peppers, pumpkins, lettuce, carrots, and musk melons (101,300). Fungi of this family have been isolated from air samples collected in Japan (101) and in a British hospital (329). C. bertholletiae, the pathogenic member of this genus, is most often isolated from oil-rich brazil nuts, while the other nonpathogenic organisms are found most commonly in soil.…”

Value of different methods for the characterisation of Aspergillus terreus strains

“…A. terreus is widespread in the environment, particularly in soil and on decaying vegetation [l]. It has also been found in the air of hospital areas [3,4]. Invasive infections in man and animals have been reported [5,, showing that A. terreus is not simply a colonising organism.…”