Detecção de bioaerossóis fúngicos potencialmente patogênicos em ambiente hospitalar

Abstract

The presence of fungal bioaerosols in air-conditioned environments can damage the occupants' health. Due to the pathogenic potential of many fungal species. These bioaerosols are associated with sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms and in critical hospital areas they are related to nosocomial infections, mainly affecting immunocompromised individuals. Thus, studies of the microbiological diversity of the air in healthcare environments are essential for the control of high microbiological concentrations by potential pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the diversity of potential pathogenic fungal bioaerosols in hospital air. Air collections were performed at different points in 19 private hospitals, including ICUs and Surgical Centers. The air was collected using the active sedimentation method being impacted in Petri dishes containing the Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar (DRBC) medium. After colonies growth, in 28° C for a period of 5 to 7 days, the Colony Forming Units were isolated by central culture and identified. Fungal species were identified through their morphological structures using an identification key. After analysis, the most frequent genera were Aspergillus (28%) and Penicillium (24%). were identified 25 potential pathogenic species, the most frequent species were Cladosporium cladosporioides appearing in the 19 hospitals analyzed (100%), followed by Acremonium potronii (57.8%), Penicillium spinulosum (52.6%), Rhodotorula rubra (52.6%) and Aspergillus carneus (42.1%). Some identified species in the literature are related on nosocomial infections, such as Aspergillus species. Therefore, it is important to carry out periodic analyzes of the microbiological quality of the air in healthcare environments. This analyzes can provide epidemiological data that contribute to preventive measures to avoid high concentrations of contamination by opportunistic fungi.