Air infiltration systems and restrictive access conditions improve indoor air quality in clinical units: Penicillium as a general indicator of hospitalar indoor fungal levels.

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2008

Autores

Araujo R (Autor) Outra; Cabral JP (Autor) Outra; Acacio Rodrigues (Autor) FMUP

Revista

Título: American Journal of Infection Control

Vol. 36 Nº 2

Páginas: 129-134

ISSN: 0196-6553

Editora: Elsevier

Indexação

Pubmed / Medline

Classificação Científica

FOS: Ciências médicas e da saúde > Outras ciências médicas

CORDIS: Ciências da Saúde

Outras Informações

Abstract (EN): Background: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters do not completely prevent nosocomial fungal infections. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different filters and access conditions upon airborne fungi in hospital facilities. Addition- ally, this study identified fungal indicators of indoor air concentrations. Methods: Eighteen rooms and wards equipped with different air filter systems, and access conditions were sampled weekly, during 16 weeks. Tap water samples were simultaneously collected. Results: The overall mean concentration of atmospheric fungi for all wards was 100 colony forming units/m3. We found a direct proportionality between the levels of the different fungi in the studied atmospheres. Wards with HEPA filters at positive air flow yielded lower fungal levels. Also, the existence of an anteroom and the use of protective clothes were associated to the lowest fungal levels. Principal component analysis showed that penicillia afforded the best separation between wards’ air fungal levels. Fungal strains were rarely recovered from tap water samples. Conclusions: In addition to air filtration systems, some access conditions to hospital units, like presence of anteroom and use of protective clothes, may prevent high fungal air load. Penicillia can be used as a general indicator of indoor air fungal levels at Hospital S. Joa˜o. (Am J Infect Control 2008;36:129-34.)

Idioma: Português

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica