Restoration of Mucoralese-Contaminated Healthcare Linens in a Laundry Facility After Investigation of a Case Cluster of Nosocomial Mucormycosis

Clinical Infectious Diseases, ciab638, https: //doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab638

Commentary

The purpose of this study was to investigate nosocomial cases of Mucorales infection in transplant recipients, where healthcare linen (HCL) was found to be contaminated with Mucorales.

As a result, before remediation, 20% of HCLs were culture positive for keratitis upon arrival at the hospital. The laundry facility layout and processes were consistent with industry standards, and significant step-ups in mucorales and mold culture positivity of HCL were detected in the post-drying step.

Further increases from 17% to 40% culture positivity were noted during holding prior to transport, and field inspection revealed a large accumulation of lint positive for mucorales in the rooftop air intakes and exhaust vents that cool the dryers.

With the accumulation of lint on the rooftop and throughout the plant, including the clean room prior to transport, uncovered carts with newly laundered HCL, and quality assurance measures and education directed at these sources following environmental remediation, the Mucorales culture positivity rate for newly provided HCL has dropped to 0.3%.

The area of rooftop contaminated with lint has been reduced from 918 meters.

In conclusion, the intervention in the laundry facility resulted in a significant reduction in HCL contaminated with Kekabi eyes delivered to our hospital.