127 Assessing fungal burden and its implications for health in an elderly care center: a comprehensive study

The study aimed to assess fungal burden in an elderly care center and its implications for health for both workers and elderly, considering the recent release of the WHO Fungal priority pathogens list (WHOFPL). Two sampling campaigns were conducted between 2022 and 2023. The results were obtained from air samples, and fungal contamination was characterized by culture-based methods, through the inoculation onto two different culture media: malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05%) and dichloran-glycerol agar (DG18). The most prevalent species in both sampling campaigns were Cladosporium sp. followed by Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. Regarding Aspergillus sections, its diversity decrease on DG18 between sampling campaigns (2022: 5 sections on DG18) and (2023: 3 sections on DG18). The most prevalent sections in 2022 campaign were Flavi on MEA (62.5%) and Circumdati and Nidulantes on DG18 (41.67%), whereas in 2023 most prevalent section was Nigri on MEA (60%) and Aspergilli on DG18 (41.67%). Notably, Aspergillus section Fumigati, belonging to the High Priority Group, was found in the 2022 campaign (1.00×101 CFU.m-3), while Mucor sp. and Rhizopus sp., both belonging to the Critical Priority Group, were found in both campaigns (2022:1.00×101 CFU.m-3 and 2023: 2.00×101 CFU.m-3). The presence of these priority fungal pathogens supports the importance of assessing the fungal burden in the elderly care centers and to maintain the surveillance needed in the scope of patient safety and occupational health.