Airborne Fungi in operation rooms of 13 hospitals in Mashhad

Airborne fungal spores are the important source of infection inside operation rooms of hospitals and intensive care units. The aim of this study was to identify airborne fungi in operation rooms of hospitals in Mashhad. 

This study performed in 13 hospitals in Mashhad during 2017-18. Samples obtained from 104 operation rooms using open plate method for culture. Fungi identified using conventional and molecular methods. The data analyzed by SPSS 16. This paper discuss about the results of conventional methods, only.

From 104 operation rooms, 403 specimens were collected. Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., were the most common isolated fungi. Among the studied hospitals, No: 3 and 11 had the most and the least contaminated operation rooms respectively.

Airborne fungi are present in operation rooms of hospitals in Mashhad, which could be a risk for immunosuppressed patients. A. flavus is the dominant airborne species.