Reduced fungal contamination of the indoor environment with the Plasmair system (Airinspace)

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Hospital Infection Control

Background:

• Aspergillus species and other moulds cause severe opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals.
• Nosocomial aspergillosis is frequently linked to indoor fungal spore contamination, particularly during construction activities.
• Dijon hospital, a tertiary care center, was undergoing construction adjacent to high-risk hematology units.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of construction on fungal contamination levels in a hospital setting.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a novel air-treatment system (Plasmair units) in reducing fungal contamination.
• To establish baseline fungal contamination levels prior to construction.

Main Methods:

• A surveillance program was initiated one year before construction to determine baseline fungal contamination.
• Air and surface fungal contamination were prospectively monitored in adult and pediatric hematology units.
• The study compared contamination levels in rooms with and without the Plasmair air-treatment system.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in overall fungal contamination were observed for both air and surface samples in Plasmair-treated rooms.
• Plasmair treatment led to a significant decrease in airborne Aspergillus fumigatus.
• The air-treatment system demonstrated effectiveness in both adult and pediatric clinical units.

Conclusions:

• Mobile Plasmair units appear to be an effective method for reducing indoor fungal contamination in hospital environments.
• This technology may help mitigate the risk of nosocomial aspergillosis, especially during periods of construction.
• Further implementation of such systems could enhance patient safety in healthcare facilities.