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. 2018 Jan 18;13(1):e0191135.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191135. eCollection 2018.

Evaluation of Hirst-type spore traps in outdoor Aspergillaceae monitoring during large demolition work in hospital

Sophie Tiphaine Loeffert  1 , Philippe Vanhems  1   2 , Estelle Tissot  3 , Cédric Dananché  1   2 , Pierre Cassier  4 , Thomas Bénet  2 , Michel Perraud  4 , Michel Thibaudon  5 , Marie-Paule Gustin  1   6
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Evaluation of Hirst-type spore traps in outdoor Aspergillaceae monitoring during large demolition work in hospital

Sophie Tiphaine Loeffert et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Demolition can generate fungal spore suspensions in association with various adverse health effects, such as high risk of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. One block of Edouard Herriot Hospital was entirely demolished. The aim of the present study was to evaluate Hirst-type spore traps utility in monitoring outdoor Aspergillaceae (Aspergillus spp. + Penicillium spp.) spores in part of Edouard Herriot Hospital (Lyon, France) undergoing major demolition. Three periods were scheduled in 2015: (A) Gutting of building and asbestos removal, (B) Demolition of floors, (C) Excavation and earthwork. Outdoor Aspergillaceae fungal load was monitored by cultivable (Air Ideal®, bioMérieux) and non-cultivable methods (Lanzoni VPPS-2000, Analyzair®, Bologna, Italy). Differences of Aspergillaceae recorded with Hirst-type spore traps were observed between Gerland and Edouard Herriot Hospital. Differences between Aspergillaceae were recorded between day time and night time at Gerland and Edouard Herriot Hospital. Daily paired differences between Aspergillaceae recorded with non-cultivable methodology at Edouard Herriot Hospital and in an area without demolition work were significant in Period A vs Period B (p = 10-4) and Period A vs Period C (p = 10-4). Weak correlation of daily Aspergillaceae recorded by both methods at Edouard Herriot Hospital was significant only for Period C (r = 0.26, p = 0.048, n = 58). Meteorological parameters and type of demolition works were found to heavily influenced Aspergillaceae dispersion. Non-cultivable methodology is a promising tool for outdoor Aspergillaceae scrutiny during major demolition work in hospital, helping infection control staff to rapidly implement control measures.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: Laboratoires ANIOS provided funding in the form of salaries to first author ST Loeffert. Analyzair provided funding in the form of salaries to co-author Estelle Tissot. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Study site.
(A) Sampler locations in Lyon, France, (B) Edouard Herriot Hospital, and (C) demolition work schedule.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Median of Aspergillaceae levels every 2-h by the non-cultivable method at Gerland and EHH during the 3 demolition periods.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Daily average concentrations of Aspergillaceae spores and colonies (spores/m3/day and CFU/m3) recorded by cultivable and non-cultivable methods during demolition at EHH, in 2015.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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