A Qualitative Assessment of Fungal Bioaerosols in the Indoor Air of the Sourô Sanou University Hospital Center of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Introduction: Microbial bioaerosols in indoor hospital air are one of the main potential sources of nosocomial infections. This study aimed to assess the composition of fungal bioaerosols in the indoor air of the Sourô Sanou University Hospital Center (SSUHC) in Burkina Faso. Methods: This study was carried out in two departments of the SSUHC. The indoor air sampling was carried out from August to December 2019. Sample collection was performed using the passive sedimentation method and incubated at 30 °C for 48 to 96 h. A total of 267 samples were analysed. Fungal identification was conducted based on the macroscopic and microscopic features of fungi. Results: Of the 267 samples analysed, 369 isolates belonging to 12 genera were identified. Aspergillus spp. was the most frequently isolated fungal agent with 64%, followed by Rhizopus spp. and Mucor spp. with 19.5% and 5.7%, respectively. Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp., and Rhizomucor spp. accounted for 2.7%, 2.7%, and 1.9%, respectively. Among the genus Aspergillus spp., the most frequently isolated was A. niger (34.3%), followed by A. flavus (30.9%) and A. fumigatus (19.9%). Conclusions: This study showed that Aspergillus spp. is the most common fungal bioaerosol isolated in the indoor air of the SSUHC in Burkina Faso.