Compilation of regulations and procedures for monitoring filamentous fungi in hospital environments

Abstract

Air and surfaces in the hospital environment are a potential source of exposure to filamentous fungi (FF) that could cause invasive fungal diseases (IFD) in severely immunocompromised patients. The prevalent FF in IFD are species from the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Scedosporium, and those within the order Mucorales. We have compiled regulations and described the procedures used in the clinical mycology laboratory to assess the presence of FF in areas at risk for the development of IFD. The infection control committees of each establishment implement hospital policies to regulate and control processes aimed at preventing infections. Fungal load monitoring is an important step in this process to validate air quality in order to ensure a clean and protected environment for severely immunocompromised patients.