Could we predict airborne Aspergillus contamination during construction work?

Pilmis, Benoît; Thepot-Seegers, Valérie; Angebault, Cécile; Weiss, Emmanuel; Alaabouche, Imane; Bougnoux, Marie Elisabeth; Zahar, Jean Ralph

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2016.08.003

Cited by 20 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Because our data could not be compared with the baseline data on airborne fungal contamination prior to construction, it was difficult to evaluate the impact of construction works on airborne fungal contamination independently. In general, the spore levels of airborne molds were significantly higher during summer than during the other seasons [20–23]. However, Aspergillus spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airborne fungal spores and invasive aspergillosis in hematologic units in a tertiary hospital during construction: a prospective cohort study

Park

Ryu

Lee

et al. 2019

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control

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Background Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an opportunistic fungal infection that mostly occurs in immunocompromised patients, such as those having hematologic malignancy or receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Inhalation of Aspergillus spores is the main transmission route of IA in immunocompromised patients. Construction work in hospitals is a risk factor for environmental fungal contamination. We measured airborne fungal contamination and the incidence of IA among immunocompromised patients, and evaluated their correlation with different types of construction works. Methods Our tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea underwent facility construction from September 2017 to February 2018. We divided the entire construction period into period 1 (heavier works: demolition and excavation) and period 2 (lighter works: framing, interior designing, plumbing, and finishing). We conducted monthly air sampling for environmental spore surveillance in three hematologic wards. We evaluated the incidence of IA among all immunocompromised patients hospitalized in the three hematologic wards (2 adult wards and 1 pediatric ward) during this period. IA was categorized into proven, probable, and possible aspergillosis based on the revised European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycosis Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria. Results A total of 15 patients was diagnosed with proven (1 case), probable (8 cases), or possible (6 cases) hospital-acquired IA during period 1. In period 2, 14 patients were diagnosed with either proven (1 case), probable (10 cases), or possible (3 cases) hospital-acquired IA. Total mold and Aspergillus spp. spore levels in the air tended to be higher in period 1 ( p = 0.06 and 0.48, respectively). The incidence rate of all IA by the EORTC/MSG criteria was significantly higher in period 1 than in period 2 (1.891 vs. 0.930 per 1000 person-days, p = 0.05). Conclusions Airborne fungal spore levels tended to be higher during the period with heavier construction works involving demolition and excavation, during which the incidence of IA was significantly higher as well. We recommend monitoring airborne fungal spore levels during construction periods in hospitals with immunocompromised patients. Subsequently, the effect of airborne fungal spore level monitoring in reducing hospital-acquired IA should be evaluated. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13756-019-0543-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airborne fungal spores and invasive aspergillosis in hematologic units in a tertiary hospital during construction: a prospective cohort study

Park

Ryu

Lee

et al. 2019

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control

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“…As opposed to that, Pilmis et al showed that elevated Aspergillus spp. concentration was associated with higher temperature and suggested that demolition work should be performed during the winter and fall season [ 79 ]. The recent study by van Rhijn et al also suggests that airborne Aspergillus fumigatus species complex spores were more abundant during the summer months, which appeared to be driven by increased temperatures and lower wind speeds [ 80 ].…”

Section: Infection Prevention and Control Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

What’s New in Prevention of Invasive Fungal Diseases during Hospital Construction and Renovation Work: An Overview

Mareković

2023

JoF

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The goal of the overview was to give insight into the recent data of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) associated with construction and renovation in healthcare settings as well as the recent evidence about available prevention and infection control measures. The number of studies describing IFD outbreaks associated with construction or renovation is on the rise again. Applying adequate prevention measures is still a challenge not just for healthcare workers but also for architects and construction workers as well. The role of multidisciplinary teams in the planning and monitoring of prevention measures cannot be overemphasized. Dust control is an inevitable part of every prevention plan. HEPA filters are helpful in the prevention of fungal outbreaks in hematologic patients, but further studies are needed to clarify the extent in which they contribute as specific control measures. The cut-off value for a “threating” level of fungal spore contamination still remains to be defined. The value of antifungal prophylaxis is difficult to assess because other preventive measures are simultaneously applied. Recommendations are still based on few meta-analyses, a large number of descriptive reports, and the opinion of respective authorities. Outbreak reports in the literature are a valuable resource and should be used for education as well as for preparing outbreak investigations.

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“…Water-damaged buildings can also be a source for exposure, and infections have been associated with dust exposure during building renovation or construction. To decrease workers and nearby population exposure to high levels of Aspergillus spores, certain construction works can be restricted to cooler seasons, which seem to influence the growth of the fungus (Pilmis et al, 2016).…”

Section: Aspergillusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airborne Infectious Microorganisms ☆

González-Martín

2017

Reference Module in Life Sciences

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Could we predict airborne Aspergillus contamination during construction work?

Cited by 20 publications

References 10 publications

Airborne fungal spores and invasive aspergillosis in hematologic units in a tertiary hospital during construction: a prospective cohort study

Airborne fungal spores and invasive aspergillosis in hematologic units in a tertiary hospital during construction: a prospective cohort study

What’s New in Prevention of Invasive Fungal Diseases during Hospital Construction and Renovation Work: An Overview

Airborne Infectious Microorganisms ☆

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