Why does this article NOT surprise me and others? via n (copied)

April 29, 2003

Hospital Water Systems May Harbor Pathogenic Molds

Hospital water distributions systems may serve as an important reservoir

of Aspergillus and other pathogenic molds, researchers report in the

April 1st issue of Blood.

Nosocomial mold infections can be an important cause of morbidity and

mortality in immunocompromised patients, Dr. Elias J. Anaissie, from the

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, and

colleagues, explain. Such infections are thought to arise from

contaminated outdoor air that infiltrates hospital ventilation systems.

Despite the widespread use of special air filters, the incidence of mold

infections continues to rise, suggesting that other sources for these

pathogens must exist. Previous reports have shown that water systems can

be colonized with such molds.

To investigate, Dr. Anaissie's group assessed mold colonization in

various environmental samples from a bone marrow transplantation unit

outfitted with optimal air precautions.

Molds were isolated from 70% of the 398 water samples that were

obtained, the authors note. Furthermore, 22% of 1311 surface swabs and

83% of 264 indoor air samples harbored molds.

The authors note that several findings suggest that the airborne molds

probably came from water sources.

Airborne levels were highest in rooms where water was typically used,

such as bathrooms, they point out. Moreover, a strong type and rank

correlation was found between airborne molds and those present in

hospital water. Lastly, a molecular similarity was noted between a

clinical mold strain and water-related strain.

If the airborne molds had come from outside the hospital, then a

seasonal correlation between indoor and outdoor levels would be

expected, the authors note. However, this was not observed.

" Our findings suggest that, in hospitals with adequate air precautions,

airborne molds originate from hospital water and not contaminated

outside air, " the investigators state.

" An effective an inexpensive approach to prevent patients exposure to

waterborne molds in the hospital setting is to provide high-risk

patients with sterile (boiled) water for drinking and sterile sponges

for bathing, " the authors note. Thorough cleaning of shower room floors

may also help reduce airborne levels of pathogenic molds, they add.

Blood 2003;101:2542-2546.

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