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Testing an innovative device against airborne Aspergillus contamination
- Source :
- Medical Mycology. 52:584-590
- Publication Year :
- 2014
- Publisher :
- Oxford University Press (OUP), 2014.
-
Abstract
- Aspergillus fumigatus is a major airborne nosocomial pathogen that is responsible for severe mycosis in immunocompromised patients. We studied the efficacy of an innovative mobile air-treatment device in eliminating A. fumigatus from the air following experimental massive contamination in a high-security room. Viable mycological particles were isolated from sequential air samples in order to evaluate the device's effectiveness in removing the fungus. The concentration of airborne conidia was reduced by 95% in 18 min. Contamination was reduced below the detection threshold in 29 min, even when the machine was at the lowest airflow setting. In contrast, during spontaneous settling with no air treatment, conidia remained airborne for more than 1 h. This indoor air contamination model provided consistent and reproducible results. Because the air purifier proved to be effective at eliminating a major contaminant, it may prove useful in preventing air-transmitted disease agents. In an experimental space mimicking a hospital room, the AirLyse air purifier, which uses a combination of germicidal ultraviolet C irradiation and titanium photocatalysis, effectively eliminated Aspergillus conidia. Such a mobile device may be useful in routine practice for lowering microbiological air contamination in the rooms of patients at risk.
- Subjects :
- Airflow
Air Microbiology
010501 environmental sciences
01 natural sciences
Microbiology
Aspergillus fumigatus
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Air treatment
Humans
Air purifier
030212 general & internal medicine
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Aspergillus
biology
Detection threshold
Nosocomial pathogens
General Medicine
Contamination
biology.organism_classification
Pulp and paper industry
Disinfection
Infectious Diseases
Air Filters
Environmental science
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14602709 and 13693786
- Volume :
- 52
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Medical Mycology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....5e5c1a584bab42ad7e6a84c823bf1c0f