Fungal spore count in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India

Fungal spores are present in the environment. Diabetic and immunosuppressed persons are more vulnerable to such infections. Thus, it is a major concern in a hospital setup as appropriate temperature and humidity can lead to fungal growth. The fairly humid and slightly warm climate of Mumbai is ideal for fungal growth. Here is a brief description of how fungal spores were controlled within a tertiary hospital in Mumbai, India with simple but effective methods. The total fungal count in Mumbai was found to be 16.2 CFUs/m³ (1). During the study period, there were two instances where fungal growth was observed, which is as follows: 1) bone marrow transplant (BMT) (Oct-2017 to Jan-2018): Growth of different Aspergillus spp. (12–36 CFU/m³) was observed 2) ICU (Oct-2019 to Nov-2019) : Growth of A. niger (6–24 CFU/m³) was observed. Corrective actions such as cleaning of the AC ducts, repair of the leakages and filter cleaning were done. Due to the prompt correctional actions, we were able to prevent nosocomial fungal infections from these areas. Even though the hospital is situated by the sea and the outside air has high humidity and high microbial load, effective engineering measures and close monitoring of the areas helped in controlling the spread of fungus within the hospital. Routine periodic checks (weekly in BMT unit and monthly in ICUs) of the air for fungal spores can also help prevent nosocomial infections.