[Epidemiology and prevention of pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with hematological malignancies].

Fungal pathogens are recognized as a major and increasing source of life-threatening infections in the immunocompromised host. Infections due to Aspergillus species are among the most common causes of nosocomial pneumonia in patients with hematological malignancies and are associated with an extremely high mortality rate. Aspergillus infections are often related to new building construction and reconstruction, road work, contaminated air conditioning systems,and contaminated potting soils. Endogenic sources include asymptomatic colonization of the respiratory tract and pulmonary aspergilloma. Suitable measures in the patient's environment to protect him from exposure to fungal spores may result in a marked reduction of infection risk. The use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems during hospitalization represents the current standard in prevention of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. This article addresses epidemiological aspects, exposure factors, and preventive aspects with special attention to construction work in hospitals.