scholarly journals First Speleomycological Study on the Occurrence of Psychrophilic and Psychrotolerant Aeromycota in the Brestovská Cave (Western Tatras Mts., Slovakia) and First Reports for Some Species at Underground Sites

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 497
Author(s):  
Rafał Ogórek ◽  
Mateusz Speruda ◽  
Justyna Borzęcka ◽  
Agata Piecuch ◽  
Magdalena Cal
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Biological Material ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Airborne Fungi ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Air Samples ◽  
Cold Adapted ◽  
First Report

Most underground ecosystems are heterotrophic, fungi in these objects are dispersed in the air in the form of spores, and they may be potentially hazardous to mammals. Research in underground sites has focused on mesophilic airborne fungi and only a few concerned cold-adapted species. Therefore, the goal of our research was the first report of psychrophilic and psychrotolerant aeromycota in the Brestovská Cave using culture-based techniques with genetic and phenotypic identification. Plates with PDA medium containing sampled biological material were incubated at 8 ± 0.5 °C. The density of mycobiota inside the cave ranged from 37.4 to 71 CFU 1 m−3 of air and 63.3 CFU 1 m−3 of air outside the cave. Thus, the level of fungal spores did not exceed the standards for the mycological quality of the air. A total of 18 species were isolated during the study, and some species may be potentially dangerous to people with weakened immune system. All fungal species were present inside the cave and only seven of them were outside. Cladosporium cladosporioides dominated in the external air samples and Mortierella parvispora was cultured most frequently from internal air samples. To our knowledge, this is the first discovery of the fungal species such as Coniothyrium pyrinum, Cystobasidium laryngis, Filobasidium wieringae, Leucosporidium drummii, M. parvispora, Mrakia blollopis, Nakazawaea holstii, and Vishniacozyma victoriae in the air inside the underground sites. Moreover, C. pyrinum, C. laryngis, L. drummii, M. blollopis, and N. holstii have never been detected in any component of the underground ecosystems. There are possible reasons explaining the detection of those species, but global warming is the most likely.

An Assessement of the Air Quality in Apple Warehouses : New Record of Aspergillus Europaeus, Aspergillus Pulverulentus, Penicillium Allii and Penicllium Sumatraense as Decay Agents

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa SMIRI ◽  
Amina KHEIREDDINE ◽  
Rania Hammami ◽  
Mustapha ROUISSI ◽  
Eduardo Antonio Espeso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Airborne Fungi ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Penicillium Expansum ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Gravity Settling

Abstract Airborne fungi are one of the major components of aeromycobiota known to produce several fungal diseases in fruits. Their presence in indoor environment of warehouses may limit the storage period of apples. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of airborne fungal spores were conducted using gravity settling techniques to detect fungal airspora present in the atmosphere of two apple warehouses in Tunisia. In this study, 375 fungal isolates were obtained and purified. Phylogenetic analysis of Calmodulin, beta-tubulin and ITS regions coupled with phenotypic characterization helped to identify fifteen fungal species. Penicillium exhibited the highest diversity with ten species detected (Penicillium expansum, Penicillium allii, Penicillium polonicum, Penicillium solitum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium steckii, Penicillium viridicatum, Penicillium sumatraense, Penicillium italicum and Penicillium citrinum), followed by four species of Aspergillus genus (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus pulverulentus, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus europaeus) and Alternaria alternata. In vivo experiments confirmed the pathogenicity of thirteen species at room temperature and under cold-storage conditions. Among them, A. europaeus, A. pulverulentus, P. allii and P. Sumatraense were described for the first time as pathogenic on apples. The present study identified the major airborne fungi associated with postharvest rot in apple storage facilities in Tunisia and may help in efficient control of post-harvest and storage fruit diseases.

scholarly journals Qualitative Analysis of Indoor and Outdoor Airborne Fungi in Cowshed

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Pavan ◽  
K. Manjunath
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Petri Dish ◽  
Airborne Fungi ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Malt Extract ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Outdoor Area ◽  
Monthly Incidence ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

Air pollution is one of the most serious problems to human health. Fungi are the causal agents for different diseases in animals, plants, and human beings. Otomycosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, allergy, and systemic mycosis are among the fungal diseases caused. The present study was conducted to analyze the monthly incidence of airborne fungi, seasonal variation, and influence of meteorological parameters in indoor and outdoor fungi of cowshed at Hesaraghatta village, Bangalore. An aeromycological survey of indoor and outdoor area of cowshed at Hesaraghatta village in Bangalore city was carried out using the Andersen two-stage sampler onto a petri dish containing malt extract agar from January 2011 to December 2011. Altogether, 29 species belonging to 13 genera from indoor and 26 species belonging to 12 genera were recorded from outdoor environment of the cowshed; the dominant fungal species identified were Cladosporium sp., Aspergillus sp., and Alternaria alternata. Seasonal occurrence of fungal spores in both indoor and outdoor of the cowshed revealed that maximum spores were recorded in summer season followed by winter and rainy season.

scholarly journals Recovery of Fungal Cells from Air Samples: a Tale of Loss and Gain

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamza Mbareche ◽  
Marc Veillette ◽  
Wieke Teertstra ◽  
Willem Kegel ◽  
Guillaume J. Bilodeau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Extraction ◽  
Fungal Diversity ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Cell Loss ◽  
Airborne Fungi ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Air Samples ◽  
Fungal Exposure

ABSTRACTThere are limitations in establishing a direct link between fungal exposure and health effects due to the methodology used, among other reasons. Culture methods ignore the nonviable/uncultivable fraction of airborne fungi. Molecular methods allow for a better understanding of the environmental health impacts of microbial communities. However, there are challenges when applying these techniques to bioaerosols, particularly to fungal cells. This study reveals that there is a loss of fungal cells when samples are recovered from air using wet samplers and aimed to create and test an improved protocol for concentrating mold spores via filtration prior to DNA extraction. Results obtained using the new technique showed that up to 3 orders of magnitude more fungal DNA was retrieved from the samples using quantitative PCR. A sequencing approach with MiSeq revealed a different diversity profile depending on the methodology used. Specifically, 8 fungal families out of 19 families tested were highlighted to be differentially abundant in centrifuged and filtered samples. An experiment using laboratory settings showed the same spore loss during centrifugation forAspergillus nigerandPenicillium roquefortiistrains. We believe that this work helped identify and address fungal cell loss during processing of air samples, including centrifugation steps, and propose an alternative method for a more accurate evaluation of fungal exposure and diversity.IMPORTANCEThis work shed light on a significant issue regarding the loss of fungal spores when recovered from air samples using liquid medium and centrifugation to concentrate air particles before DNA extraction. We provide proof that the loss affects the overall fungal diversity of aerosols and that some taxa are differentially more affected than others. Furthermore, a laboratory experiment confirmed the environmental results obtained during field sampling. The filtration protocol described in this work offers a better description of the fungal diversity of aerosols and should be used in fungal aerosol studies.

scholarly journals Assessment of Airborne Fungi in Childrens Hospital Located in Kolkata India

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-234
Author(s):  
Debasmita Ghosh Dhar ◽  
Priyanka Dhar ◽  
Ashok Kumar Das ◽  
Naim Uddin
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Airborne Fungi ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Penicillium Sp ◽  
Aspergillus Sp

Fungal spores contribute significant concentration in the bioaerosol of various environmental conditions which may have potential health threats. Our study was aimed at determining the presence of disseminating airborne fungi in a pediatric government hospital in Kolkata. The study was started from the post-monsoon to the middle winter (August to December 2008) in the indoor and outdoor environment of the hospital with temperature and humidity ranges of 11.2 °C-35.2 °C and 70 per cent-90 per cent, respectively. Air sampling was performed at 14 days intervals during the daytime following the gravitation settling method, and the fungal colonies were identified based on micro and macro morphological characteristics. The percentage contribution of individual fungal species from the outdoor section and indoor units (Newborn Baby Ward, Respiratory Care Unit, Step Down Ward, Thalassemia Care Unit) of the hospital environment was calculated. We observed profound aeromycofloral diversity where the outdoor environment was mostly colonised by sterile hyphae (16.43 %) along with the allergenic Aspergillus fumigatus (13.6 %) and Penicillium sp. (12.32 %). Conversely, an abundance of Cladosporium herbarum (24.7 %) and Penicillium sp. (17.85 %) followed by Aspergillus sp. (12.9 %) and sterile hyphae (14.51 %) were found in different indoor units. Our results showed the diversity of airborne mycoflora which promotes the trend to health difficulties and thus the hospital environment monitoring along with proper control measures is essential.

scholarly journals Glycobiology of Human Fungal Pathogens: New Avenues for Drug Development

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle J. Lee ◽  
Holly O’Donnell ◽  
Françoise H. Routier ◽  
Joe Tiralongo ◽  
Thomas Haselhorst
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Cell Wall Polysaccharides ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Sugar Transporters

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are an increasing threat to the developing world, with fungal spores being ubiquitous and inhaled every day. Some fungal species are commensal organisms that are part of the normal human microbiota, and, as such, do not pose a threat to the immune system. However, when the natural balance of this association is disturbed or the host’s immune system is compromised, these fungal pathogens overtake the organism, and cause IFI. To understand the invasiveness of these pathogens and to address the growing problem of IFI, it is essential to identify the cellular processes of the invading organism and their virulence. In this review, we will discuss the prevalence and current options available to treat IFI, including recent reports of drug resistance. Nevertheless, the main focus of this review is to describe the glycobiology of human fungal pathogens and how various components of the fungal cell wall, particularly cell wall polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, are involved in fungal pathogenicity, their biosynthesis and how they can be potentially exploited to develop novel antifungal treatment options. We will specifically describe the nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs) that are important in fungal survival and suggest that the inhibition of fungal NSTs may potentially be useful to prevent the establishment of fungal infections.

scholarly journals Profiles of Airborne Fungi in Buildings and Outdoor Environments in the United States

2002 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 1743-1753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian G. Shelton ◽  
Kimberly H. Kirkland ◽  
W. Dana Flanders ◽  
George K. Morris
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
The United States ◽  
Airborne Fungi ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Outdoor Air ◽  
Air Samples ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
Public Health Practitioners ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

ABSTRACT We examined 12,026 fungal air samples (9,619 indoor samples and 2,407 outdoor samples) from 1,717 buildings located across the United States; these samples were collected during indoor air quality investigations performed from 1996 to 1998. For all buildings, both indoor and outdoor air samples were collected with an Andersen N6 sampler. The culturable airborne fungal concentrations in indoor air were lower than those in outdoor air. The fungal levels were highest in the fall and summer and lowest in the winter and spring. Geographically, the highest fungal levels were found in the Southwest, Far West, and Southeast. The most common culturable airborne fungi, both indoors and outdoors and in all seasons and regions, were Cladosporium, Penicillium, nonsporulating fungi, and Aspergillus. Stachybotrys chartarum was identified in the indoor air in 6% of the buildings studied and in the outdoor air of 1% of the buildings studied. This study provides industrial hygienists, allergists, and other public health practitioners with comparative information on common culturable airborne fungi in the United States. This is the largest study of airborne indoor and outdoor fungal species and concentrations conducted with a standardized protocol to date.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF AIRBORNE FUNGAL SPORES IN INDOOR ENVIRONMENT OF LIBRARIES IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 506-520
Author(s):  
Chukwuemeka Chidera Godson ◽  
◽  
Obi Chioma Maureen ◽  
Ochiabuto Ogochukwu Barbara ◽  
Nwachukwu Chinazo Adannia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Culture Technique ◽  
Malt Extract ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Air Samples ◽  
Nasal Swabs

Background: Polluted indoor environments pose health challenges such as allergy, infections, and toxicity. Most indoor air pollution comes from hazardous non-biological and biological agents. Due to the nature of the indoor environment of libraries, it is prone to colonization by fungal species. Method: Three sampling sites were used for the study and they include Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library, Main campus Awka, Medical Library, Nnewi Campus and Library Complex, Agulu campus. A total of 100 air samples were analyzed Using the Zefon A6 Single-stage microbial air sampler and Malt Extract Agar supplemented with 0.05mg/ml of chloramphenicol while 16 nasal swabs were collected from the staff present using sterile swab sticks. The mould isolates were identified using the slide culture technique while the yeast isolates were subjected to candida chrom agar and integral yeast plus identification. Antifungal susceptibility was performed using the integral yeast plus system and the agar well diffusion technique. Results: Out of the 100 air samples, a total of 625 fungal isolates were identified of which C.lunata 201 (32.16%) was the most predominant, while P. marneffi, P. expansum, A. restrictus, A. infectoria and R. rubra 1(0.16%) occurred the least. All significant at (p≤0.01). A total of 7 fungal spores were isolated from the 16 nasal swabs and appeared thus in descending order of frequency: P. notatum, 3 (42.85%), A. niger, C. lunata, C. albicans and F. aqueductum, 1(14.3%). Antifungal Susceptibility of the 28 yeast isolates indicated that C. famata, C. laurentii and C. luteolus, were all susceptible to commonly used antifungals in the integral yeast plus system with a 100% susceptibility value, while the mould isolates showed relatively moderate susceptibility to selected antifungals. Conclusion: The organisms isolated are well known to be pathogenic especially to immunocompromised individuals. Their presence in the indoor environment of libraries serves as a risk factor to both the library staff and visitors. Adequate precautionary measures and occasional environmental surveillance need to be inculcated in order to reduce the number of fungi in the indoor environment of these libraries.

scholarly journals Diversity, Concentration and Dynamics of Culturable Fungal Bioaerosols at Doha, Qatar

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
Raghdaa K. Fayad ◽  
Roda F. Al-Thani ◽  
Fatima A. Al-Naemi ◽  
Mohammed H. Abu-Dieyeh
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Gravimetric Method ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Airborne Fungi ◽  
Culture Collection ◽  
Colony Count ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Future Work

This research was conducted to investigate the dynamics of airborne fungi using viable culture collection and in respect to different abiotic variables, including seasonal and intra-diurnal variations. A gravimetric method was used to sample airborne fungal deposition on potato dextrose agar plates on alternate days, for a year between April 2015 to March 2016. From 176 settle plate exposures, a total of 1197 mould and 283 yeast colony-forming units (CFU), 21 genera and 62 species were retrieved. The highest fungal spore count was recorded in February 2016, whereas the lowest count occurred in August 2015. The main constituents of the fungal airspora were attributed to Cladosporium (60.2%), Aspergillus (10.4%), Fusarium (9.4%), Alternaria (8.5%), and Ganoderma spp. (2.3%). Temperature was negatively correlated with total colony count (r = −0.231, p ≤ 0.05) or species richness (r = −0.267, p ≤ 0.001), while wind speed was positively correlated with total colony count (r = 0.484, p ≤ 0.001) or species richness (r = 0.257, p ≤ −0.001). The highest dispersal of fungal spores was obtained at 18:00, whereas the lowest fungal spores release was recorded at 00:00 (midnight). There were no significant differences in species composition and richness of the airborne fungal population between two study sites, the Industrial area and Qatar University Campus. The count of Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. were significantly higher at the Industrial area site, which corresponds to a higher CO2 level than the Qatar University site. This study lays the foundation for future work to assess the implications of such aeromycological data on public health.

scholarly journals The patients’ perspective on coordinated action for cancer and AMR

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Apostolidis
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Unique Challenge ◽  
Coordinated Action ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Patients Perspective

Abstract The speaker will present the perspective of the cancer patients, and the challenges they encounter across the spectrum of care and what measures they consider relevant in terms of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and, indeed, to raise awareness of the impact of AMR on rendering cancer treatments ineffective. She will elaborate on survivorship, and on the impact of AMR on the quality of life of patients, their carers, and families. Emphasis will be given on the implications of modern therapies, such as immunotherapy, representing a unique challenge in terms of better understanding the effect on overall health of patients, with the effect they have the immune system, further weakening the patient and leaving him/her exposed to infections potentially of higher risk than cancer itself.

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