Specimen type

Sampling and culture for Aspergillus and other filamentous fungi in hospital environments

Optimal time of specimen collection

No specific time. Surveillance during hospital construction, maintenance, demolition and renovation, water damage, faulty air filtration and conditioning, and outbreaks

Correct specimen type and method of collection

Air samples, settled dust, surface samples, material samples

Quantity and number of specimens

Minimum: one air sample and one dust sample from patients’ rooms and general hospital areas. More intensive sampling where reservoir of Aspergillus is most likely to occur.

Laboratory analysis

Culture of air samples, culture of dust and material samples

Transport

Culture plates: as per Microbiology guidelines
On-site sampling, air sampling plates and material samples transported directly to RMLM

Turnaround time

5 days

Indicative cost per sample

Sampling by RMLM staff: £10.90 per hour.
Culture and identification: £18.21 per sample plate.