Fungi in bathwater and sludge of bathroom drainpipes

Abstract

Samples of bathwater from 14 homes and 22 public bathhouses and sludge in drainpipes from 19 household bathrooms were plated out onto potato dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol. Several media were used to study colony morphology of the isolates and the thermotolerance and alkaline tolerance of each isolate were examined. Eleven sludge samples produced 12 isolates of Exophiala jeanselmei, 2 of E. dermatitidis and 1 of E. moniliae. Five household bathwater samples produced 2 isolates of E. jeanselmei, 4 of E. dermatitidis and 1 of E. alcalophila. One isolate of E. jeanselmei, 2 of E. dermatitidis, 3 of E. moniliae and 2 of unidentified Exophiala species were recovered from 6 samples of the bathwater dissolving 'Chinese medicine' in the bathtubs of public bathhouses. One isolate of E. jeanselmei was recovered from the 15 samples of bathwater from public bathhouses. Bathwater and sludge in bathroom drainpipes may be an important habitat of Exophiala species.

Physiological characteristics of 13 common fungal species in bathrooms

“…This result differed from the fi ndings of a study by Nishimura et al (1987) in which fungal samples were chiefl y collected from bathwater after bathing, in contrast to the present study, in which bathroom surfaces were swabbed with cotton tips. High-temperature-tolerant species of Exophiala, for example, E. dermatitidis, did not appear to be common on bathroom walls or fl oors.…”

“…Some species of Exophiala found in bathrooms are reported to be heat-and/or alkali tolerant (Goto et al 1981;Nishimura et al 1987). Moreover, these fungi are thought to often be pathogenic and harmful to health.…”

Nosocomial Fungemia Due to Exophiala jeanselmei var. jeanselmei and a Rhinocladiella Species: Newly Described Causes of Bloodstream Infection

“…Whereas Candida species account for the majority of fungal infections, the spectrum of fungi that may cause infection is growing (2). Exophiala jeanselmei and Rhinocladiella species are dematiaceous fungi widely distributed in the environment, especially in soil, wood, polluted water, and sewage (7,17). The clinical spectrum of infection caused by these organisms include mycetomas, chromoblastomycosis, and pheohyphomycosis, either superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous, or systemic (10,25).…”

Confirmation of taxonomic status of black yeast-like fungus by three gene phylogeny

“…Wet cells like bathrooms, sinks, kitchens and saunas were described as novel niches for adaptation of human pathogens (Hamada 2013, Hamada and Abe 2010, Lian and de Hoog 2010, Nishimura et al 1987. Bathwater and sludge of bathroom drainpipes are important habitats for members of the genus Exophiala (Hamada and Abe 2010, Matos et al 2002, Nishimura et al 1987.…”