Isolation of Aspergillus species from Educational hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran

Introduction: Nosocomial aspergillosis is a common complication among immune-compromised individuals and high-risk patients. Aspergillosis has become a major invasive fungal infection in hospitals in recent decades. Aspergillus, a saprophytic fungus with wide distribution, is associated with systemic infections in predisposed patients with a mortality rate of about 85%. Aspergillus speices produce microscopic conidia, which can easily spread through the air. These conidia can enter alveolar through the airway and may cause different types of aspergillosis. This study aimed to evaluate diversity and abundance of Aspergillus in air samples of educational hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. Materials and Methods: The air was sampled from seven wards of five hospitals using Quick Take 30 Sample Pump (SKC, USA). As a result, a total of 175 air samples were collected, and then analyzed. Species of Aspergillus were identified, using macroscopic and microscopic features. Finally, the number of colonies forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/m³) was calculated:

Aspergillus, Hospital, Air, Nosocomial