Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41438831›Full record

ArticleGMS hygiene and infection control2025

Dealing with mold infestation in hospitals and medical practices.

Julia Hurraß, Eva-Brigitta Kruse-Wehner, Steffen Engelhart, Caroline E W Herr, Ludger Klimek, Dennis Nowak, Jörg Steinmann, Jens-Oliver Steiß, Janine Zweigner, Gerhard A Wiesmüller

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in GMS hygiene and infection control, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Julia HurraßHYGIUM - Center for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Cologne, Germany.
Eva-Brigitta Kruse-WehnerHYGIUM - Center for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Cologne, Germany.
Steffen EngelhartInstitute for Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn, Germany.
Caroline E W HerrBavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety Munich, Germany.
Ludger KlimekCenter for Rhinology and Allergology, Wiesbaden, Germany.
Dennis NowakInstitute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, DZL, CPC (Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich), LMU Munich University Hospital, Germany.
Jörg SteinmannInstitute for Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Clinical Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University Nuremberg Hospital, Germany.
Jens-Oliver SteißCenter for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Gießen and Marburg GmbH, Giessen, Germany.
Janine ZweignerCentral Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Cologne, Germany.
Gerhard A WiesmüllerHYGIUM - Center for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Cologne, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Mold, which includes the components and metabolic products of mold fungi as well as other factors associated with moisture, such as yeasts, bacteria (actinobacteria) and mites, occurs indoors when there is increased moisture. In addition to known causes of damp/mold damage such as structural defects (including thermal bridges, rising damp, insufficient ventilation), water damage and incorrect ventilation and heating options, construction work plays an important role in hospitals and medical practices. Methods: The AWMF S2k guideline "Medical clinical diagnostics for indoor mold exposure" was first published in 2016. Following a new systematic literature search, an updated version of this guideline was published in October 2023 with the cooperation of various medical disciplines and other experts. The guideline is intended to close the existing knowledge gap in terms of rational and efficient medical diagnosis in cases of indoor mold contamination. Recommendations are given on general and specific examination methods. Non-evidence-based diagnostic methods, some of which are still used in practice, are not recommended. Furthermore, treatment options for health problems and diseases caused by mold fungi are presented. It is explained why, in most cases, indoor measurements of molds, their components or metabolites are not required for medical evaluation. Results: Individuals who are immunosuppressed (grade 2 and 3 of the immunosuppression grades according the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention [KRINKO] at the Robert Koch Institute [RKI]), or are suffering from severe influenza, severe COVID-19, cystic fibrosis and uncontrolled bronchial asthma are at increased risk of exposure to mold fungi. For these patients, exposure to mold damage must be ruled out in the clinic and practice as well as in the home environment. Conclusion: If, despite all precautionary measures, moisture/mold damage can be detected in the environment of these particularly vulnerable patients, it must be remediated immediately. Indoor measurements of mold exposure are not indicated for medical reasons. Rather, all measures that help to avoid moisture damage are crucial for prevention.

Indexed as

dental practicehospitalhygieneinfection controlmedical practicemoisturemold

Identifiers

PMID41438831
PMCPMC12720255

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.