Nosocomial invasive aspergillosis in a heart transplant patient acquired during a break in the HEPA air filtration system

Transpl Infect Dis. 2004 Mar;6(1):50-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2004.00047.x.

Abstract

We report a case of nosocomially acquired invasive aspergillosis (IA) in a low-risk heart transplant recipient due to a break in the air conditioning system. A high overload of Aspergillus spores in the intensive care unit room led this patient to acquire IA. Identical environmental and patient isolates allowed our hypothesis to be confirmed and a very precise incubation time to be estimated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Conditioning*
  • Air Microbiology
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / isolation & purification
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Equipment Failure
  • Filtration* / instrumentation
  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Spores, Fungal / isolation & purification