scholarly journals Profiles of Environmental Mold: Indoor and Outdoor Air Sampling in a Hematology Hospital in Seoul, South Korea

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Yeon Cho ◽  
Jun-Pyo Myong ◽  
Won-Bok Kim ◽  
Chulmin Park ◽  
Sung Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Air ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Air Sampling ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Air Sampler ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
Indoor Fungi ◽  
Immunocompromised Hosts ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

Inhalation of fungal spores can cause various spectrums of fungal diseases in immunocompromised hosts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations and profiles of fungal species in air collected at different locations in hematology wards and outside of the hospital in Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital over the course of a year. Air sampling was performed at four locations—outside the hospital (O), in the general ward (GW), in the lounge in the cleanroom (CRL), and in the patients’ room in the cleanroom (CRR)—by using Andersen single-stage air sampler at every two weeks between May 2017 and May 2018. The results showed higher mean fungal density in summer, and the concentrations of fungi decreased as follows: O (954.8 colony-forming units, CFU/m3) > GW (4.2 CFU/m3) > CRL (0.7 CFU/m3) > CRR (0 CFU/m3). Aspergillus was most prevalent both inside (47%) and outside (62%) of the hospital. However, the outdoor fungal profile was more diverse than the indoor profile. Within the hospital, Penicillium was the second most dominant species. In conclusion, the outdoor fungal profile is diverse even in Seoul, a highly urbanized area in Korea. The distribution of indoor air fungi is significantly different from outdoor due to air quality systems. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filtered systems should be established to effectively reduce levels of indoor fungi.

scholarly journals Loading Rates of Dust and Bioburden in Dwellings in an Inland City of Southern Europe

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 378
Author(s):  
Carla Viegas ◽  
Marta Dias ◽  
Beatriz Almeida ◽  
Estela Vicente ◽  
Carla Candeias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Air ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Malt Extract ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Fungal Contamination ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
Dust Loading ◽  
Total Bacteria

Sampling campaigns indoors have shown that occupants exposed to contaminated air generally exhibit diverse health outcomes. This study intends to assess the deposition rates of total settleable dust and bioburden in the indoor air of dwellings onto quartz fiber filters and electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs), respectively. EDC extracts were inoculated onto malt extract agar (MEA) and dichloran glycerol (DG18) agar-based media used for fungal contamination characterization, while tryptic soy agar (TSA) was applied for total bacteria assessment, and violet red bile agar (VRBA) for Gram-negative bacteria. Azole-resistance screening and molecular detection by qPCR was also performed. Dust loading rates ranged from 0.111 to 3.52, averaging 0.675 μg cm−2 day−1. Bacterial counts ranged from undetectable to 16.3 colony-forming units (CFU) m−2 day−1 and to 2.95 CFU m−2 day−1 in TSA and VRBA, respectively. Fungal contamination ranged from 1.97 to 35.4 CFU m−2 day−1 in MEA, and from undetectable to 48.8 CFU m−2 day−1 in DG18. Penicillium sp. presented the highest prevalence in MEA media (36.2%) and Cladosporium sp. in DG18 (39.2%). It was possible to observe: (a) settleable dust loadings and fungal contamination higher in dwellings with pets; (b) fungal species considered indicators of harmful fungal contamination; (c) Aspergillus section Candidi identified in supplemented media with voriconazole and posaconazole; (d) specific housing typologies and (e) specific housing characteristics influencing the microbial contamination.

scholarly journals Diversity of Airborne fungal in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-192
Author(s):  
S Pria ◽  
S. Jennifer
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Air ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Minimum Concentration ◽  
Air Sampler ◽  
Concentration Maximum ◽  
Airborne Fungal Spores ◽  
Investigation Period

Airborne fungal spores constitute one of the important components of microbial population of ambient air. Aeromycological study was conducted for two years (January, 2012 to December, 2013) using Rotorod air sampler in the indoor air of certain residential dwellings in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India. During the present investigation, 15 fungal types were detected of which Trichoderma spores contributed highest concentration. Maximum concentration of fungal spores was observed in the month of August in 2012 and November in 2013 while minimum concentration was observed in the month of September in both years. Allergenically significant fungal spores responsible for serious health hazards were detected throughout the investigation period. Seasonal variation of airborne fungal spores was correlated with meteorological parameters.

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.

Mycotoxins in the ventilation systems of four schools in Finland

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 369-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Hintikka ◽  
R. Holopainen ◽  
A. Asola ◽  
M. Jestoi ◽  
M. Peitzsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Air ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
School Buildings ◽  
Penicillic Acid ◽  
Air Samples ◽  
Ventilation Ducts ◽  
Chaetoglobosin A ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor ◽  
Ventilation Systems

Some fungal species have been listed as a problem causing fungi in indoor air and most of this group are known to produce mycotoxins. So far, mycotoxins have been found in building materials and in samples representing settled indoor air dust, as well in air samples from industrial or agricultural environments. The present paper presents the results of a mycological study and mycotoxin analyses of dust collected from mechanical ventilation systems in four school buildings in southern Finland. The aim of this work was to answer the question 'Are there mycotoxins in ventilation systems and if so, from where do they originate?' A total of 40 mycotoxins representing indoor and outdoor sources alike were screened in this study, while cultivable fungi were screened using four different cultivation media. Mycotoxins were present in all ventilation systems studied, both in the supply and the exhaust systems examined. The mycotoxins found included satratoxins, verrucarol, trichodermol, enniatins, beauvericin, penicillic acid, sterigmatocystin, chaetoglobosin A, and aflatoxins B1. The mycotoxins were present in minute quantities (pg-ng/g or pg-ng/cm2). The fungal genera associated with respective mycotoxins were found in most of the same sources. Since much the same mycotoxins could be established in both exhaust and supply air systems, it would appear that the mycotoxins found in the schools studied do not for the most part originate from sources within the building but are either normal artefacts of incoming supply air or concentrate or are perhaps produced within the ventilation systems due to infrequent changing of filters and maintenance/cleaning of ventilation ducts and associated parts of the systems.

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 Operative and Technical Modifications to the Coriolis® µ Air Sampler That Improve Sample Recovery and Biosafety During Microbiological Air Sampling

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 852-865
Author(s):  
Nuno Rufino de Sousa ◽  
Lei Shen ◽  
David Silcott ◽  
Charles J Call ◽  
Antonio Gigliotti Rothfuchs
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Collection Efficiency ◽  
Air Sampling ◽  
Air Filter ◽  
Air Sampler ◽  
Technical Modifications ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Sample Recovery ◽  
Technical Solutions ◽  
Biosafety Level

Abstract Detecting infectious aerosols is central for gauging and countering airborne threats. In this regard, the Coriolis® µ cyclonic air sampler is a practical, commercial collector that can be used with various analysis methods to monitor pathogens in air. However, information on how to operate this unit under optimal sampling and biosafety conditions is limited. We investigated Coriolis performance in aerosol dispersal experiments with polystyrene microspheres and Bacillus globigii spores. We report inconsistent sample recovery from the collector cone due to loss of material when sampling continuously for more than 30 min. Introducing a new collector cone every 10 min improved this shortcoming. Moreover, we found that several surfaces on the device become contaminated during sampling. Adapting a high efficiency particulate air-filter system to the Coriolis prevented contamination without altering collection efficiency or tactical deployment. A Coriolis modified with these operative and technical improvements was used to collect aerosols carrying microspheres released inside a Biosafety Level-3 laboratory during simulations of microbiological spills and aerosol dispersals. In summary, we provide operative and technical solutions to the Coriolis that optimize microbiological air sampling and improve biosafety.

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.

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