Occurrence of Pathogenic and Allergenic Molds in the Outdoor and Indoor Environment of a Major Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology of Aspergillus fumigatus in Kuwait
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 1/21/2025
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Summary
Researchers studied molds found in and around a major hospital in Kuwait over 17 months, collecting over 6,000 mold samples. They discovered various mold species, including some that can cause serious infections in hospital patients. Importantly, they found drug-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains both outdoors and inside the hospital, suggesting the environment may be a source of infection for vulnerable patients. The findings highlight the need for better monitoring and control of molds in hospital settings.
Background
Aspergilli and other molds are prevalent in the environment and cause opportunistic infections and seasonal allergies in susceptible patients. Kuwait’s arid climate and recent plantation/construction activities increase mold spore counts, including drug-resistant strains. Limited information exists on pathogenic mold occurrence in Kuwaiti hospital environments.
Objective
To determine species distribution of various molds in outdoor/indoor air of a major hospital and surrounding areas in Kuwait. To perform antifungal susceptibility testing and molecular fingerprinting of environmental and clinical Aspergillus fumigatus isolates.
Results
A total of 6,179 mold isolates were obtained, with Cladosporium spp. (37%), Aspergillus spp. (22%), and Penicillium spp. (21%) being most common. Itraconazole-resistant A. fumigatus with TR34/L98H mutations were recovered from outdoor air, hospital environment, and clinical samples. Molecular fingerprinting revealed shared genotypes among outdoor air and hospital environmental isolates, suggesting environmental transmission routes.
Conclusion
Environmental molds are important sources of opportunistic infections and allergies in susceptible patients. Triazole-resistant A. fumigatus with TR34/L98H mutations present in both hospital and outdoor environments suggest an environmental reservoir for invasive infections. Regular resistance surveillance and infection control measures are recommended.
- Published in:Journal of Fungi,
- Study Type:Observational/Environmental Survey,
- Source: PMID: 39997377, DOI: 10.3390/jof11020083