Clin Infect Dis, 2002;34: 780-9
Autores:

Anaisse, E.J.
Stratton, S.L.
Dignani, C.
Summerbell, R.C.
Rex, J.H.
Monson, T.P.
Spencer, M.
Francesconi, A.
Walsh, T.J.
Univ. of Arkansas for Med. Sciences, Little Rock, AR

Abstract:

We collected concurrent water (n=416), swabs of water structures (n=1,395), and air (n=283) samples (bathrooms, rooms, and adjacent hallways, and outdoors) from Hepa-filtered bone marrow transplant units, intensive care units, cold and hot water storage tanks, and municipal water in one hospital over a period of three years. Water samples were collected in sterile 1L bottles and filtered through sterile 0.45micro- filters. Swab samples were collected using sterile culturettes while a six-stage Andersen sampler was used to collect air samples. All samples were plated onto Sab Dex agar with antibiotics, and incubated at 30 degrees C for up to 28 days. Aspergillus spp. were identified by standard mycological techniques.RESULTS: [table: see text]. Significantly higher concentrations (p<.05) of Aspergillus spp were found in bathrooms than in any other indoor site. Conclusion: Hospital water and water structures may be frequently colonized by known pathogenic Aspergillus spp. (A. niger>A. fumigatus>A. terreus). The frequency of distribution of these aspergilli recovered from indoor air is comparable to that of water (A. niger>A. fumigatus>A. terreus). Bathroom air is the most frequently and heavily colonized indoor site, despite the presence of functional Hepa-filtration systems.KEYWORDS: Aerobiology; Aspergillus spp.; Water
Anaissie, E.J. ... [et al.]