Preventing healthcare-associated Aspergillus infections: review of recent CDC/HICPAC recommendations

Aspergillus spp. are ubiquitous environmental fungi that are increasingly recognized as a cause of severe illness and mortality in immunocompromised patients. More than 60 outbreaks of healthcare-associated invasive aspergillosis have been described in the English literature. Information gained from outbreak investigations, especially control measures, form the basis for current guidelines to prevent healthcare-associated aspergillosis. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) provide evidence-based recommendations for preventing healthcare-associated aspergillosis and should be adopted by healthcare facilities.