Fernandez-Gerlinger MP, Jannot AS, Rigaudeau S, Lambert J, Eloy O, Mignon F, Farhat H, Castaigne S, Lerrer J and Rousselot P. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 2016, Vol 37, N° 7. 845-851
To evaluate the impact of the use of a mobile air decontamination unit (PLASMAIR® airinspace) on the incidence of Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) in neutropenic hematology patients.
Patients with 7 days or more of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia hospitalised in a room with or without a PLASMAIR® air decontamination unit depending on room availability. The incidence of IA in each group is studied and compared. A multivariate analysis was used to control for possible confounding factors.
156 patients were included in the study. A total of 11 cases of probable IA were diagnosed: 10 in the group without an air decontamination unit and only 1 in the group with PLASMAIR®. The probability of developing a IA was significantly lower in patients hospitalised in a room equipped with a PLASMAIR® unit than in patients occupying a room without one.
This study demonstrates that a PLASMAIR® mobile air decontamination unit significantly reduces the incidence of IA in neutropenic haematology patients. Such units represent an effective and practical alternative to HEPA filtration combined with laminar flow.