P4: Fungal burdens in biomedical facilities and insensitivities to common disinfection regimes.

Fungal contamination of biomedical processes and facilities can result in major revenue loss and product delay.  Two facilities, a biomedical research facility (referred to as BRF) and the Petit Science Center of Georgia State University (PSC), were sampled for the presence of fungal isolates in indoor air. BRF has experienced reoccurring fungal contamination of incubators since 2007. PSC is a recently opened university facility that houses teaching and research labs as well as administrative offices. 

In March 2010, 20 fungal specimens were isolated by air and swab samples at various locations within BRF.  Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus were identified using sequence comparison of the 18s rRNA gene. Prior contaminates (2007-2009) were identified as A. fumigatus, via in-house analysis.  Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR was used to elucidate the phylogenetic relationship between the current A. fumigatus isolates and those from 2007 through 2009.  A. fumigatus isolates primarily produced 2 genotypic clusters, indicating a continual presence of A. fumigatus in the clean room from 2007 to the present.  Along with RAPD analysis, the efficacy of various employed disinfectants was examined for the ability to prevent spore germination and fungal growth.  Based upon visual inspection of the contaminated incubators and their components, formation of biofilms was also assayed.  A. fumigatus and A. niger formed biofilm-like structures at the air-media interface of shaken cultures.