title: Evaluation of fungal contamination in operating rooms using a dusting cloth pad: comparison among different sampling methods.
abstract: To evaluate microbial contamination in hospitals environments, several methods are available, each one having its limitations. Therefore, the choice of system to use is open. This study compares the ability of a dusting cloth pad (DC pad) with 2 other methods (Rodac contact plate and air sampling) to detect contamination because of filamentous fungi in operating rooms, performing 110 sampling campaigns in hospitals of 3 Italian cities. Overall, 96% of the DC pad samples were positive compared with 51% of Rodac plates (P < .0001) and 35% of air samples (P < .0001). Authors conclude that the DC pad improves the ability to detect an environmental contamination of filamentous fungi.
authors: Department of Civil Building and Environmental Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. daniela.dalessandro@uniroma1.it
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: D'Alessandro
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Cerquetani
authors: Maria Grazia
authors: MG
authors: Deriu
authors: Maria Teresa
authors: MT
authors: Montagna
authors: Ida
authors: I
authors: Mura
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Napoli
authors: Nicoletta
authors: N
authors: Vescia
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000382:microbiology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007558:Italy; D009873:Operating Rooms
chemical_list: D004391:Dust