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

J Hosp Infect. 2007 Feb;65(2):156-62. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2006.10.013. Epub 2006 Dec 18.

Abstract

Aspergillus spp. and other moulds cause life-threatening opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Indoor contamination and construction work that liberate fungal spores are a major source of nosocomial aspergillosis. Dijon hospital is a tertiary care institution in northeast France undergoing construction work beside high-risk clinical units. To determine the impact of this activity, a surveillance programme was implemented one year before building work began in order to establish baseline levels of contamination. Air and surface fungal contamination in adult and paediatric haematology units were prospectively examined following use, or not, of a new air-treatment system with mobile Plasmair units (Airinspace). There were significant reductions in overall fungal contamination for the Plasmair treated rooms for air and surface samples in both clinical units. Plasmair treatment also significantly reduced A. fumigatus in the air. These data suggest that Plasmair units may provide an efficient method of reducing indoor fungal contamination in hospitals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Microbiology
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / adverse effects
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / analysis*
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology
  • Aspergillosis / prevention & control*
  • Aspergillus / isolation & purification*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Environmental Microbiology*
  • Humans