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Background: We experienced a pseudo-outbreak of aspergillosis in a newly constructed COVID-19 ward. Within the first 3 months from the commencement of the ward, six intubated patients of COVID-19 developed probable or possible pulmonary aspergillosis. We suspected an outbreak of pulmonary aspergillosis associated with ward construction and launched air sampling for the investigation of the relationship between these. Methods: The samples were collected at 13 locations in the prefabricated ward and three in the general wards, not under construction, as a control. Results: The results from samples revealed different species of Aspergillus from those detected by the patients. Aspergillus sp. was detected not only from the air samples in the prefabricated ward but also in the general ward. Discussion: In this investigation, we could not find evidence of the outbreak that links the construction of the prefabricated ward with the occurrence of pulmonary aspergillosis. It might suggest that this series of aspergillosis was more likely occurred from fungi that inherently colonized patients, and was associated with patient factors such as severe COVID-19 rather than environmental factors. Once an outbreak originating from building construction is suspected, it is important to conduct an environmental investigation including an air sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patients with chronic aortic dissection often require repeat interventions due to enlargement of the pressurized false lumen or disseminated intravascular coagulation even after additional thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) to occlude the entry tear. Residual false lumen flow can persist even after performing the candy-plug technique or branched stent-graft placement in some cases. We have devised a new method for false lumen closure. Methods: From December 2010 to May 2017, 5 patients (mean age: 57 [13] years, range: 43-77 years) with chronic dissection at the aortic arch and descending aorta, who underwent initial TEVAR, required additional treatment. Using an open surgical approach, the endograft was fixed with an outer felt under cardiopulmonary bypass after the endograft with stent was expanded by fenestration. The false lumen was closed using this procedure, and the aortotomy was repaired by direct closure in 2 cases and by graft replacement in 3 cases. Results: No major operative complications occurred, such as respiratory failure or paraplegia. Postoperative enhanced computed tomography (CT) images showed that the false lumen flow disappeared in all cases. All patients were discharged under normal conditions. They were all followed up and their CT did not indicate any complications for a mean of 33.6 (20.3) months. Conclusions: Our combined procedure was effective and provided a higher success rate compared with endovascular therapy alone. This staged treatment approach, using a combination of TEVAR and false lumen closure, is less invasive compared with open surgery alone and may represent a valid treatment option for chronic type B dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]