title: Testing an innovative device against airborne Aspergillus contamination.
abstract: Aspergillus fumigatus is a major airborne nosocomial pathogen that is responsible for severe mycosis in immunocompromised patients. We studied the efficacy of an innovative mobile air-treatment device in eliminating A. fumigatus from the air following experimental massive contamination in a high-security room. Viable mycological particles were isolated from sequential air samples in order to evaluate the device's effectiveness in removing the fungus. The concentration of airborne conidia was reduced by 95% in 18 min. Contamination was reduced below the detection threshold in 29 min, even when the machine was at the lowest airflow setting. In contrast, during spontaneous settling with no air treatment, conidia remained airborne for more than 1 h. This indoor air contamination model provided consistent and reproducible results. Because the air purifier proved to be effective at eliminating a major contaminant, it may prove useful in preventing air-transmitted disease agents. In an experimental space mimicking a hospital room, the AirLyse air purifier, which uses a combination of germicidal ultraviolet C irradiation and titanium photocatalysis, effectively eliminated Aspergillus conidia. Such a mobile device may be useful in routine practice for lowering microbiological air contamination in the rooms of patients at risk.
authors: Department of Parasitology-Mycology-Tropical Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, Tours, France Unité Mixte de Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1100, Equipe d'Accueil 6305, University of François Rabelais School of Medicine, Tours, France.
authors: Guillaume
authors: G
authors: Desoubeaux
authors: Unité Mixte de Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1100, Equipe d'Accueil 6305, University of François Rabelais School of Medicine, Tours, France AirLyse, Saint-Avertin, France.
authors: Marie-Charlotte
authors: MC
authors: Bernard
authors: Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yveline, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
authors: Valérie
authors: V
authors: Gros
authors: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité d'Enseignement 1277, Nouzilly, France.
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Sarradin
authors: Department of Clinical Investigation, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, Tours, France.
authors: Elodie
authors: E
authors: Perrodeau
authors: Unité Mixte de Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1100, Equipe d'Accueil 6305, University of François Rabelais School of Medicine, Tours, France Diffusion Technique Française, Aerodrug, Tours, France.
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Vecellio
authors: Titanium Innovation, Saint-Avold, France.
authors: Antoine
authors: A
authors: Piscopo
authors: Department of Parasitology-Mycology-Tropical Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, Tours, France Unité Mixte de Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1100, Equipe d'Accueil 6305, University of François Rabelais School of Medicine, Tours, France.
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Chandenier
authors: Unité Mixte de Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1100, Equipe d'Accueil 6305, University of François Rabelais School of Medicine, Tours, France Department of Internal Medicine & Infectious Disease, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, Tours, France.
authors: Louis
authors: L
authors: Bernard
mesh_terms: D061808:Air Filters; D000391:Air Microbiology; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Aspergillus; indoor air contamination; mobile air purifier; nosocomial infections; photocatalysis; titanium