Characterization of the Anemophilous Fungal Population in Hospital Environments in Brazil: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Fungi are widely distributed in the environment and play an essential role in ecological balance; however, they are also associated with opportunistic infections and complications in hospital settings, causing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), especially in immunocompromised patients. The objective was to outline the profile of airborne fungal microbiota in Brazilian hospitals over the last 15 years through an integrative review of the literature. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established, and a search was conducted in scientific databases using the DeCS/MeSH descriptors “hospital infection,” “fungi,” “air,” “aerosols,” “hospitals,” and “Brazil” in Portuguese and English, connected by the Boolean operator AND. After screening and selection, 13 studies were included in the analysis. The findings indicated a predominance of Aspergillus spp., in addition to the frequent occurrence of Penicillium spp. and Cladosporium spp. All these species may pose a risk to human health, either through their infectious capacity or through the production of mycotoxins. It is concluded that the anemophilous fungal microbiota in Brazilian hospitals is diverse, with Aspergillus spp. being particularly prominent, and that its monitoring is relevant for the formulation of control strategies that reduce the risk of HAI and protect patients and healthcare professionals.