Pseudoepidemic of Aspergillus niger infections traced to specimen contamination in the microbiology laboratory.
We report a pseudo-outbreak of Aspergillus niger that followed building construction in our clinical microbiology laboratory. Because outbreaks of invasive aspergillosis have been linked to hospital construction, strategies to minimize dust in patient care areas are common practice. We illustrate that the impact of false-positive cultures on patient care should compel laboratories to prevent specimen contamination during construction.
Laurel
V L
VL
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas 78236, USA. laurel@whmc.ac.mil
Meier
P A
PA
Astorga
A
A
Dolan
D
D
Brockett
R
R
Rinaldi
M G
MG
D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001234:Aspergillus niger / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories