High fungal spore burden with predominance of Aspergillus in hospital air of a tertiary care hospital in Chandigarh.

The prevalence of fungal spores in the hospital air is essential to understand the hospital‑acquired fungal infections. Air conditioners (ACs) used in hospitals may either reduce spores in air or be colonised by fungi and aid in its dissemination. The present study was conducted to assess the fungal spore burden in AC and non‑AC areas. We found a high fungal spore count in air irrespective of whether the area was AC or non‑AC. The most predominant species isolated were Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus. Such high concentrations of pathogenic fungi in air may predispose individuals to develop disease.

Fatal cryptococcosis involving multiple sites in an immunocompetent child.

Disseminated cryptococcosis is less common in immunocompetent individuals. Herein, we report a fatal case of cryptococcosis in apparently immunocompetent child with multiple site involvement. The yeast isolated from cerebrospinal fl uid, blood, endotracheal, gastric and lymph node aspirate was identifi ed by molecular method as Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii.