title: Environmental Factors Related to Fungal Wound Contamination after Combat Trauma in Afghanistan, 2009-2011.
abstract: During the recent war in Afghanistan (2001-2014), invasive fungal wound infections (IFIs) among US combat casualties were associated with risk factors related to the mechanism and pattern of injury. Although previous studies recognized that IFI patients primarily sustained injuries in southern Afghanistan, environmental data were not examined. We compared environmental conditions of this region with those of an area in eastern Afghanistan that was not associated with observed IFIs after injury. A larger proportion of personnel injured in the south (61%) grew mold from wound cultures than those injured in the east (20%). In a multivariable analysis, the southern location, characterized by lower elevation, warmer temperatures, and greater isothermality, was independently associated with mold contamination of wounds. These environmental characteristics, along with known risk factors related to injury characteristics, may be useful in modeling the risk for IFIs after traumatic injury in other regions.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Tribble
authors.forename: Carlos J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Weintrob
authors.forename: Faraz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: M Leigh
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.forename: Clinton K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Masuoka
mesh_terms: D000346:Afghanistan; D058448:Biota; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Afghanistan; Aspergillus species; fungi; military medicine; mold; mucormycosis; trauma; wound infection; zygomycosis