Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
Published on: March 9, 2018
Cytotoxicity of Aspergillus strains isolated from the neonatal intensive care unit environment
A Gniadek1, A B Macura, M Twaruzek
1Department of Medical and Environmental Nursing, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland. mxgniade@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Purpose:
It is essential in the medical care for immunocompromised patients that the environment should create minimal infection risk. Particularly, it concerns fungal infections. Fungi belonging to the Aspergillus genus are second frequent group of nosocomial pathogens producing opportunistic infections.
Material And Methods:
The objective of the study was evaluation of prevalence and cytotoxicity of selected Aspergillus strains isolated from the neonatal intensive care unit environment. During 5 consecutive days, 30 samples of indoor air and 120 imprints from the ward environment were collected. Cytotoxicity of 17 strains was evaluated using a MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test.
Results:
Mean numbers of fungi in the indoor air varied from 50 to 2370 c.f.u.xm-3 while in the imprints from 0.04 to 8.83 c.f.u.xcm-2. Moulds were isolated from most of the materials. All of the 17 strains subject to MTT test were cytotoxic.
Conclusion:
All of the Aspergillus strains isolated from the neonatal intensive care unit were cytotoxic. Cytotoxic Aspergillus strains present in the environment of immunocompromised patients may be potentially dangerous to them.
Insights
All Aspergillus strains found in a neonatal intensive care unit were cytotoxic. These findings highlight the potential danger of cytotoxic Aspergillus to immunocompromised patients in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Immunocompromised patients require environments with minimal infection risk, especially from fungal pathogens.
- Aspergillus species are a significant cause of opportunistic nosocomial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence and cytotoxicity of Aspergillus strains in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
- To evaluate the potential risk posed by environmental Aspergillus to vulnerable patient populations.
Main Methods:
- Air and environmental surface samples were collected over five days in the NICU.
- Seventeen Aspergillus strains were isolated and their cytotoxicity was determined using the MTT assay.
Main Results:
- Fungal counts in indoor air ranged from 50 to 2370 c.f.u./m³.
- Fungal counts on surfaces ranged from 0.04 to 8.83 c.f.u./cm².
- All 17 tested Aspergillus strains exhibited cytotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- The study confirmed that all isolated Aspergillus strains from the NICU environment were cytotoxic.
- Cytotoxic Aspergillus strains in healthcare environments pose a significant risk to immunocompromised patients, including neonates.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Fungal Phylum Ascomycota
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis