Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biodiversity and concentration of airborne fungi in a hospital environment

  • Published:
Mycopathologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The biodiversity and concentration of airborne fungi were monitored over a period of 6 months in a special-care unit of a hospital. Air sampling was performed in a corridor that was also accessible to visitors and in an adjacent bone-marrow transplantation (BMT) unit using an air sampler and two isolation media. Altogether, 98 fungal species could be identified, among them Aspergillus fumigatus and A. terreus as well as 48 other species reported as potential pathogens. The average contamination values of the corridor air ranged from 124 to 485 cfu m−3. Neither the degree of fungal air contamination nor the species composition inside the special care unit differed from those found in the corridor. By means of data obtained with a light-activated sensor, a possible influence of human activities on diurnal changes of fungal propagule concentration was shown.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abdel-Hafez AI, el-Sharouny HM. Keratinophilic and saprophytic fungi isolated from students nails. Egypt Journal of basic microbiology 1990; 30: 3–11.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Ainsworth GC, Sparrow FK, Sussman AS, eds. The fungi, an advanced treatise. New York/London: Academic Press, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Anderson K, Morris G, Kennedy H, Croall J, Michie J, Richardson MD, Gibson B. Aspergillosis in immunocompromised paediatric patients: associations with building hygiene, design, and indoor air. Thorax 1996; 51: 256–261.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Arx JA von. The genera of fungi sporulating in pure culture. Vaduz: J. Cramer, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Athar MA, Sekhon AS, McGrath JV, Malone RM. Hyalohyphomycosis caused by Paecilomyces variotii in an obstetric patient. Eur J Epidemiol 1996; 12: 33–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Barnett HL, Hunter BB. Illustrated genera of imperfect fungi. Burgess Publishing Company, 1972.

  7. Briegel J, Forst H, Spill B, Haas A, Grabein B, Haller M, Kilger E, Jauch KW, Maag K, Ruckdeschel G, Peter K. Risk factors for systemic fungal infections in liver transplant recipients. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1995; 14: 375–382.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Camara R de la, Pinilla I, Munoz E, Buendia B, Steegmann JL, Fernandez-Ranada JM. Penicillium brevicompactum as the cause of a necrotic lung ball in an allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipient. Bone Marrow Transplant 1996; 18: 1189–1193.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for prevention of nosocomial pneumonia. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1997; 46: 1–79.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Daschner F, Frank U, Just HM. Proven and unproven methods in hospital infection control in intensive care units. Chemioterapia 1987; 6: 184–189.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Dhinsa MK, Naidu J, Singh SM, Jain SK. Chronic suppurative otitis media caused by Paecilomyces variotii. JMed VetMycol 1995; 33: 59–61.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Domsch KH, Gams W, Anderson TH. Compendium of soil fungi, Eching/Germany: IHW Verlag, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ebner M. Ñber intramurale Pilzsporenbelastung der Luft und deren medizinische Bedeutung Zeitschrift des Institutes fĄr Baustofflehre und Materialprüfung, Leopold Franzens Universität Innsbruck, 1989.

  14. Ebner M. Indoor and outdoor incidence of airborne fungal allergens at low-and high-altitude alpine environments. Mycol Res 1992; 96: 117–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Ellis MB. Dematiaceous hyphomycetes. Kew, Surrey, England: Commonwealth Mycological Institute, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Gams W. Cephalosporium-artige Schimmelpilze (Hyphomycetes). Stuttgart: Gustav Fischer Verlag, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hawksworth DL, Kirk PM, Sutton BC, Pegler DN. Ainsworth & Bisby' Dictionary of the fungi. Cambridge: University Press, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hodgson MJ, Morey P, Leug WY et al. Building associated pulmonary disease from exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus versicolor. Occup Environ Med 1998; 40: 241–249.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hoog GS de. The genera Beauveria, Isaria, Tritirachium and Acrodontium gen. nov. Stud Mycol 1972; 1.

  20. Hoog GS de, Hermanides-Nijhof EJ. The black yeasts and allied hyphomycetes. Stud Mycol 1977; 15.

  21. Hoog GS de. The black yeasts II: Moniliella and allied genera. Stud Mycol 1979; 19.

  22. Hoog GS de, Guarro J, eds. Atlas of clinical fungi. Baarn/Delft: Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Iwen PC, Davis C, Reed EC, Winfield BA, Hinrichs SH. Airborne fungal spore monitoring in a protective environment during hospital construction, and correlation with an outbreak of invasive aspergillosis. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1994; 15: 303–306.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Kaul S, Sumbali G. Keratinolysis by poultry farm soil fungi. Mycopathologia 1997; 139: 137–140.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Klich MA, Pitt JI. A laboratory guide to common Aspergillus species and their teleomorphs. Commonwealth scientific and industrial research organisation, division of food processing, 1994.

  26. Kock M, Schlacher R, Pichler-Semmelrock FP, Reinthaler FF, Eibel U, Marth E, Friedl H. Air-borne microorganisms in the metropolitan area of Graz, Austria. Cent Eur J Public Health 1998; 6: 25–28.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kocková-Kratochvilová A. Yeasts and yeast-like Organisms. Weinheim/New York: VCH, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Kreisel H, Schauer F. Methoden des mykologischen Laboratoriums. Stuttgart/New York: Gustav Fischer Verlag, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Li DW, Kendrick B. A year-round comparison of fungal spores in indoor and outdoor air. Mycologia 1995; 87: 190–195.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Lodder J, ed. The Yeasts. Amsterdam/London: North-Holland Publishing Company, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Mahe A, Develoux M, Lienhardt C, Keita S, Bobin P. Mycetomas in Mali: causative agents and geographic distribution. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1996; 54: 77–79.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Mancianti F, Papini R. Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from the floors of private veterinary clinics in Italy. Vet Res Commun 1996; 20: 161–166.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Micallef A, Caldwell J, Colls JJ. The influence of human activity on the vertical distribution of airborne particle concentration in confined environments: preliminary results. Indoor Air 1998; 8: 131–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Möse JR, Miorini T, Schmickl T. Zur Problematik der Schimmelpilz-Sporenkonzentration der Luft in Krankenhäusern. Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsverhütung 1994; 16: 162–167.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Naidu J, Singh SM, Pouranik M. Onychomycosis caused by Chaetomium globosum Kunze. Mycopathologia 1991; 113: 31–34.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Naidu J, Singh SM. Hyalohyphomycosis caused by Paecilomyces variotii: a case report, animal pathogenicity and ‘in vitro’ sensitivity. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 1992; 62: 225–230.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Pitt JI. The genus Penicillium and its teleomorphic states Eupenicillium and Talaromyces. London/New York/Toronto/Sydney/San Francisco: Academic press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Pitt JI. A laboratory guide to common Penicillium species. North Ryde: CSIRO Food Research Laboratory, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Raper KB, Fennell DI. The genus Aspergillus. New York: RE Krieger Publishing Company, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Reponen T. Aerodynamic diameters and respiratory deposition estimates of viable fungal particles in mold problem dwellings. Aerosol science and technology 1995; 22: 11–23.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Robinson LA, Reed EC, Galbraith TA, Alonso A, Moulton AL, Fleming WH. Pulmonary resection for invasive Aspergillus infections in immunocompromised patients. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg (1995); 109: 1182–1197.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Sakamoto T, Urisu A, Yamada M, Matsuda Y, Tanaka K, Torii S. Studies on the osmophilic fungus Wallemia sebi as an allergen evaluated by skin prick test and radioallergosorbent test. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 1989; 90: 368–372.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Samson RA. A compilation of the Aspergilli described since 1965. Stud Mycol 1979; 18.

  44. Samson RA, Hoekstra ES, Frisvad JC, Filtenborg O, eds. Introduction to food-borne fungi. Baarn/Delft: Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Schipper MAA. A study on variability in Mucor hiemalis and related species. Stud Mycol 1973; 4.

  46. Schipper MAA. On Mucor circinelloides, Mucor racemosus and related species. Stud Mycol 1976; 12.

  47. Schipper MAA, Stalpers JA. A revision of the genus Rhizopus. Stud Mycol 1984; 25.

  48. Slavin MA, Osborne B, Adams R, Levenstein MJ, Schoch HG, Feldman AR, Meyers JD, Bowden RA. Efficacy and safety of fluconazole prophylaxis for fungal infections after marrow transplantation-a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. J Infect Dis 1995; 171: 1545–1552.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Subramanian CV. Hyphomycetes. New Delhi: Indian council of agricultural research, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Takahashi T. Airborne fungal colony-forming units in outdoor and indoor environments in Yokohama, Japan. Mycopathologia 1998; 139: 23–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Verhoeff AP, van Wijnen JH, Boleij JSM, Brunekreef B, Reenen-Hoekstra ES van, Samson RA. Enumeration and identification of airborne viable mould propagules in houses. Allergy 1990; 45: 275–284. Yeghen T, Fenelon L, Campbell CK, Warnock DW, Hoffbrand AV, Prentice HG, Kibbler CC. Chaetomium pneumonia in patient with acute myeloid leukaemia. J Clin Pathol 1996; 49: 184–186.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Yephen T, Fenelon L, Campbell CK, Warnock DW, Hoffbrand AV, Prentice HG, Kibbler CC. Chaetomium pneumonia in patient with acute myeloid leukaemia. J Clin Pathol 1996; 49: 184–186.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Zycha H. Kryptogamenflora der Mark Brandenburg, IVa, Pilze II, Mucorineae. Weinheim: J. Cramer, 1963

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Microbiology (N.F.), Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Technikerstraåe 25, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Johannes Rainer, Ursula Peintner & Reinhold Pöder

Authors
  1. Johannes Rainer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ursula Peintner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Reinhold Pöder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rainer, J., Peintner, U. & Pöder, R. Biodiversity and concentration of airborne fungi in a hospital environment. Mycopathologia 149, 87–97 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007273131130

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007273131130

Search

Navigation