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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
Published on: March 22, 2012
[Possible sources of aspergilla infection in a hematological hospital]
Aim:
To investigate spread, species spectrum, quantity of aspergilla spores in the air of a hematological hospital.
Material And Methods:
Air samples (250 I/min, PU-1B device) were collected in hematological departments monthly. Isolation and identification of mycelial fungi were made on Chapek medium. In detection of Aspergillus spp. culture in the biomaterial, additional samples of the air and wash-out from the surfaces were collected.
Results:
A 4-year mycological monitoring of the air has found that aspergilla constituted dominating micromycetes both by occurrence (45%) and amount (5.66%). The spectrum of Aspergillus spp. were represented by 17 species. Of them A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. flavus, A. terreus and A. nidulans comprised 31%. Aspergillus spp. concentrations in the wards with laminar ventilation was 1.8 CFU/m3, in plenum-air exhaustion ventilation--2.1 CFU/m3, exchange ventilation--12.2 CFU/m3. Increased amount (31%) and concentration (11.9 CFU/m3) of Aspergillus spp spores in the air occurred in autumn. A. fumigatus (44%), a. flavus (42%), A. niger (8%), A. versicolor (3%), Aspergillus spp (3%) were detected in 33 patients. The rate of detection of Aspergillus isolated from the patients was also the highest in autumn (34%). Aspergillus spores mean concentration in the wards of patients with invasive aspergillesis was 13.1 CFU/m3, in the nearby wards--12.4 CFU/m3. Morphologically identical strains Aspergillus spp. isolated from the patient and environment were obtained in 9 cases.
Conclusion:
Minimal concentration of aspergilla spores was in the wards with laminar air flow furnished with plenum-air exhaustion ventilation. Annual correlation (for 4 years) of seasonal dynamics of the incidence of Aspergillus spp. from patients with invasive aspergillesis and number of spores in the air support suggestion that air is one of the sources of infection in immunocompromised patients. In spite of wide prevalence of Aspergillus spp. in hospital air, morphologically identical strains from the patient and environment are encountered rarely. There may be additional sources of infection and mechanisms of invasive aspergillesis onset in immunocompromised patients. Genotyping of morphologically identical strains was not made.
Insights
Hospital air monitoring revealed Aspergillus spores are prevalent, especially in autumn. Airborne Aspergillus spores are a likely infection source for immunocompromised patients, though environmental and patient strains rarely match.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Hospital Epidemiology
- Environmental Microbiology
Background:
- Aspergillus species are common airborne fungi.
- Immunocompromised patients are at high risk for invasive aspergillosis.
- Understanding the environmental prevalence of Aspergillus is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence, species distribution, and concentration of Aspergillus spores in a hematological hospital environment.
- To investigate the correlation between airborne Aspergillus levels and patient infections.
- To identify potential sources of Aspergillus infection in immunocompromised patients.
Main Methods:
- Monthly air sampling using a PU-1B device (250 L/min) over four years in hematological departments.
- Isolation and identification of fungi on Chapek medium.
- Collection of additional air and surface samples when Aspergillus species were detected in patient samples.
Main Results:
- Aspergilla were dominant micromycetes (45% occurrence, 5.66% quantity), with 17 species identified.
- Aspergillus species concentrations varied significantly by ventilation type, being lowest in laminar airflow (1.8 CFU/m³).
- Higher spore concentrations (11.9 CFU/m³) and patient detection rates (34%) occurred in autumn, with A. fumigatus and A. flavus being most common.
Conclusions:
- Laminar airflow with plenum-air exhaustion ventilation showed minimal Aspergillus spore concentration.
- Seasonal trends in airborne Aspergillus spores correlate with invasive aspergillosis incidence, suggesting air as an infection source.
- Despite widespread environmental presence, identical Aspergillus strains from patients and the environment were rare, indicating other infection sources or transmission routes.
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