|
|
Prepublished online as a Blood First Edition Paper on December 5, 2002; DOI 10.1182/blood-2002-02-0530.
 Previous Article | Table of Contents | Next Article 
Blood, 1 April 2003, Vol. 101, No. 7, pp. 2542-2546
CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS, INTERVENTIONS, AND THERAPEUTIC TRIALS
Pathogenic molds (including Aspergillus species) in
hospital water distribution systems: a 3-year prospective study and
clinical implications for patients with hematologic
malignancies
Elias J. Anaissie,
Shawna L. Stratton,
M. Cecilia Dignani,
Choon-kee Lee,
Richard C. Summerbell,
John H. Rex,
Thomas P. Monson, and
Thomas J. Walsh
From the Myeloma Institute for Research and Treatment,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock;
Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Baarn, The
Netherlands; Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas
Medical School, Houston; John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital
and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock; and
Immunocompromised Host Section, National Cancer Institute, National
Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
The incidence of mold infections in patients with hematologic
malignancies continues to increase despite the widespread use of air
filtration systems, suggesting the presence of other hospital sources
for these molds. Water sources are known to harbor pathogenic molds. We
examined samples from water, water surfaces, air, and other environment
sources from a bone marrow transplantation unit with optimal air
precautions. Molds (Aspergillus species, others) were recovered in 70% of 398 water samples, in 22% of 1311 swabs from
plumbing structures and environmental surfaces, and in 83% of 274 indoor air samples. Microscopic examination of the water plumbing lines
revealed hyphal forms compatible with molds. Four findings suggest that
indoor airborne molds were aerosolized from the water: (1) higher mean
airborne concentrations of molds in bathrooms (16.1 colony-forming
units [CFU]/m3) than in patient rooms (7 CFU/m3) and hallways (8.6 CFU/m3;
P = .00005); (2) a strong type and rank correlation
between molds isolated from hospital water and those recovered from
indoor hospital; (3) lack of seasonal correlation between the airborne mold concentration in outdoor and indoor air; and (4) molecular relatedness between a clinical strain and a water-related strain (previously reported). Hospital water distribution systems may serve as
a potential indoor reservoir of Aspergillus and other molds
leading to aerosolization of fungal spores and potential exposure for patients.
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
D.G. Ahearn, D. Price, R.B. Simmons, A. Mayo, S.T. Zhang, and S.A. Crow Jr.
Microcycle conidiation and medusa head conidiophores of aspergilli on indoor construction materials and air filters from hospitals
Mycologia,
January 1, 2007;
99(1):
1 - 6.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Hageskal, A. K. Knutsen, P. Gaustad, G. S. de Hoog, and I. Skaar
Diversity and Significance of Mold Species in Norwegian Drinking Water
Appl. Envir. Microbiol.,
December 1, 2006;
72(12):
7586 - 7593.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.-P. Gangneux, L. Noussair, A. Bouakline, N. Roux, C. Lacroix, and F. Derouin
Experimental assessment of disinfection procedures for eradication of Aspergillus fumigatus in food
Blood,
October 1, 2004;
104(7):
2000 - 2002.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Barlogie, J. Shaughnessy, G. Tricot, J. Jacobson, M. Zangari, E. Anaissie, R. Walker, and J. Crowley
Treatment of multiple myeloma
Blood,
January 1, 2004;
103(1):
20 - 32.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
