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Prevalence of fungi and their antifungal and disinfectant resistance in hospital environments: insights into combating nosocomial mycoses

Summary

This study examined how fungal infections spread in hospital settings by testing air and surfaces in Iranian hospital intensive care units. Researchers found that dangerous fungi like Aspergillus and Rhizopus were commonly present, especially in air ducts, and many of these fungi could resist common antifungal medications and disinfectants. The findings suggest that hospital environments serve as sources of infection for vulnerable patients and that better cleaning and air filtration systems are needed to protect hospitalized patients.

Background

Fungal infections are increasingly recognized as a global health concern contributing to significant morbidity and mortality in hospital settings. Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) pose a serious risk to vulnerable patients, with Aspergillus and Mucorales being major causative agents. Hospital environments, particularly HVAC systems, may serve as reservoirs for these pathogenic fungi.

Objective

This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and diversity of fungal species in hospital environments, evaluate their antifungal and disinfectant resistance profiles, and compare environmental isolates with clinical isolates to identify potential nosocomial transmission sources.

Results

Fungi were detected in 45% of air samples and 100% of exhaust vent samples, with Aspergillus species being the most prevalent. All A. flavus isolates showed resistance to Amphotericin B, and 25% of Aspergillus isolates exhibited resistance to this drug. Disinfectant resistance ranged from 43.5% to 73.9% across nine tested agents, with similar resistance profiles noted between clinical and environmental isolates.

Conclusion

Hospital environments, particularly exhaust vents, serve as significant reservoirs for causative agents of invasive fungal diseases. The emergence of antifungal and disinfectant resistance in environmental fungal isolates presents a serious challenge to infection control. Environmental surveillance, improved ventilation systems, and development of more potent disinfectants are critical for preventing nosocomial fungal infections.
  • Published in:Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control,
  • Study Type:Cross-sectional Environmental Surveillance Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40269983, DOI: 10.1186/s13756-025-01558-x
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