Monitoring the Occurrence of Aspergillus in the Air of Intensive Care Units

Poor air quality within hospitals can contribute to a range of health issues, collectively known as sick hospital syndrome, encompassing respiratory, skin, and nonspecific symptoms. <i>Aspergillus</i> poses a significant risk of severe respiratory infections, particularly within intensive care unit (ICU) patients often with compromised immune systems. This study was conducted in the intensive care units of three selected hospitals in Cracow, Poland. Air samples were obtained using the single-stage impactor MAS-100 NT Ex (Merck). The air samples were taken from each ward, seasonally, four times a year. Sampling of intensive care units' air for <i>Aspergillus</i> revealed the significant diversity in fungal concentration and unveiled seasonal fluctuations in culturable fungi levels. The highest concentration of <i>Aspergillus</i> species complexes was detected during autumn, while the lowest was in spring. The disturbing occurrence of <i>Aspergillus</i> in hospitals' air emphasizes the importance of monitoring fungal air bioburden and assessing air control efficiency and highlights the urgent need to develop and validate microbiological standards for fungal air contamination in hospitals.