Assessment of airborne fungi in the emergency and traumatology departments of University Hospital Centre, Sidi Bel-Abbes, Algeria
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Airborne fungi in hospital environments represent a significantrisk, particularly in wards housing immunocompromised patients, wherethey may contribute to nosocomial infections, including hospital-acquiredmold diseases. This study aimed to assess the presence of airborne fungiin operating theatres, waiting areas, and corridors within the emergency andtraumatology departments of the University Hospital Centre in Sidi Bel-Abbes,Algeria, and to examine environmental and human-related determinants.Method: Seventy-four samples were collected using passive air sampling.Temperature, relative humidity, and occupant density were recorded. Fungiwere identified by macroscopic and microscopic characteristics.Results: Operating theatres showed the lowest contamination 18 (28.10%),whereas corridors and waiting rooms each accounted for 23 (35.9%). Occupantdensity was significantly associated with fungal levels (p = 0.05). Aspergillusand Penicillium predominated.Conclusion: The findings indicate that the operating theatres, waiting rooms,and corridors of the emergency and traumatology departments exhibitedrelatively low levels of fungal contamination. Airborne fungal concentrations,expressed as Colony Forming Units (CFU)/m³ based on agar plate exposure,were within limits; a few specific high-risk samples (12%) in operating theatresexceeded the threshold.
Source: South Sudan Medical Journal
DOI: 10.4314/ssmj.v19i3.2
Institution: Université Djilali de Sidi Bel Abbès
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204997612