AJIC: American Journal of Infection Control
Volume 36, Issue 2 , Pages 129-134, March 2008

Air filtration systems and restrictive access conditions improve indoor air quality in clinical units: Penicillium as a general indicator of hospital indoor fungal levels

  • Ricardo Araujo, BSc

      Affiliations

    • Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to Ricardo Araujo, BSc, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
    • ,
  • João Paulo Cabral, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, and CIMAR, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
    • ,
  • Acácio Gonçalves Rodrigues, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
    • Burn Unit, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital S. João, Porto, Portugal

published online 21 January 2008.

Background

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters do not completely prevent nosocomial fungal infections. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different filters and access conditions upon airborne fungi in hospital facilities. Additionally, this study identified fungal indicators of indoor air concentrations.

Methods

Eighteen rooms and wards equipped with different air filter systems, and access conditions were sampled weekly, during 16 weeks. Tap water samples were simultaneously collected.

Results

The overall mean concentration of atmospheric fungi for all wards was 100 colony forming units/m3. We found a direct proportionality between the levels of the different fungi in the studied atmospheres. Wards with HEPA filters at positive air flow yielded lower fungal levels. Also, the existence of an anteroom and the use of protective clothes were associated to the lowest fungal levels. Principal component analysis showed that penicillia afforded the best separation between wards' air fungal levels. Fungal strains were rarely recovered from tap water samples.

Conclusions

In addition to air filtration systems, some access conditions to hospital units, like presence of anteroom and use of protective clothes, may prevent high fungal air load. Penicillia can be used as a general indicator of indoor air fungal levels at Hospital S. João.

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 14.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0196-6553(07)00461-0

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2007.02.001

AJIC: American Journal of Infection Control
Volume 36, Issue 2 , Pages 129-134, March 2008

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution