Hospital-acquired aspergillosis

Microbiology

• Aspergillus fumigatus most common, followed by Aspergillus flavus

Risk Factors

• Environmental
  • Construction is the major cause
  • Filters not working, leaks in windows
• Patient-specific
  • immunocompromise, especially HSCT

Prevention

• Protection
  • HEPA filter
  • Regular environmental cleaning
  • Fungicide in the contruction material
  • Getting rid of carpeting and upholstered furniture
  • HSCT patients need negative pressure room, and need to wear masks outside of their room
• Contruction projects risk assessment
  • Project type A through D with increasing amount of dust and risk of aspergillosis
  • Also depends on patient area, from offices (low risk) to ICU (high risk)