Fresh flower arrangements should be excluded from areas housing immunocompromised patients because they are potential reservoirs for which organism?

• A. Candida albicans
• B. Aspergillus fumigatus
• C. Staphylococcus aureus
• D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer: (B)

Fresh flower arrangements can harbor mold spores, particularly Aspergillus fumigatus, which poses a risk to immunocompromised patients. Aspergillus is a common environmental mold found in soil and decaying vegetation, and its spores can become airborne when flowers are present or moved. In people with weakened immune defenses, inhaling these spores can lead to invasive aspergillosis, a serious infection affecting the lungs and, sometimes, other organs. Candida albicans is a yeast that typically resides on mucous membranes and skin and is less associated with flowers as a source. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are bacteria tied more to skin surfaces, contaminated water, or medical devices rather than fresh floral arrangements. For this reason, limiting fresh flowers in areas with immunocompromised patients helps reduce exposure to airborne mold spores.