Indoor Damp Surfaces Harbor Molds with Clinical Significance

Abstract

Background and Purpose:Fungal contamination in damp places in buildings has become an increasing problem worldwide. Dampness facilitates the growth of fungi, which can cause adverse effects not only on the buildings but also on their occupants. The aim of this study was to identify indoor mold species in the buildings of Kerman province, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this study, 110 samples were obtained from surfaces of damp indoor areas in buildings randomly selected in Kerman province. The identification of fungal species was based on the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the isolates, such as colony morphology, hyphae, conidia, and conidiophores, as well as molecular sequence data.Results: Based on the results, a total of 218 fungal isolates were obtained. Apart from frequently isolated fungi, such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium, 13 species, including Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium halotolerans, Engyodontium album, Collariella bostrychodes, Stachybotrys xigazenensis, Ramularia eucalypti, Fusarium merismoides, Fusarium solani, Ochroconis musae, Mucor racemosus, Acremonium zonatum, and Acremonium persicinum were identified, and the selected species were described. Among these 13 species, Cladosporium was the most common species (43%) in indoor surfaces, followed by Ochroconis musae (10.8%) and Engyodontium album (7.4%). To the best of our knowledge, Stachybotrys xigazenensis was reported in the present study for the first time in Iran. In addition, E. album and O. musae were isolated for the first time from indoor surfaces in Iran.Conclusion:According to the results, the level of overall fungal richness across indoor surfaces was high. Some of the isolated taxa were clinically significant. It was concluded that the damp residential surfaces were potentially passive collectors of clinically significant molds.

Mycobiota of berry fruits – levels of filamentous fungi and mycotoxins, composition of fungi, and analysis of potential health risk for consumers

“…allergic disease (allergic rhinitis, stimulation of the growth of allergenic dust mites), opportunistic mycoses (keratitis) [56,57] Botrytis cinerea R( 14) allergic disease (HP) [58], pulmonary infection [59] Cladosporium cladosporioides R( 16), S (11) allergic diseases (allergic rhinitis, asthma) [38] opportunistic mycoses [60] Cladosporium sphaerospermum R(30), S (37) allergic diseases (allergic rhinitis, asthma) [38], opportunistic mycoses [61] Curvularia geniculata S(2) opportunistic mycoses [51] Engyodontium album R(1) opportunistic mycoses [62] Fusarium culmorum R(1), S(1) mycotoxicoses [11,12] culmorin, enniatins, fusarins, moniliformin, trichothecenes (DON), zearalenone, others Fusarium graminearum R(1) mycotoxicoses [11,12] fusarins, trichothecenes (DON), zearalenone, others…”

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“…The healthcare environment is a primary source of pathogenic microorganisms [ 4 ]. Molds may be present on wet or damp surfaces or materials [ 5 ]. Bacteria may also be present in bathroom installations, including sink drains and ice machines.…”

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“…This species was extensively found in cultural and historical heritage sites associated with substrate alterations like discolorations [6,14,46,47]. Furthermore, A. alternata spores are recognized as being very common powerful aeroallergens [48,49]. Usually intense exposure to A. alternata allergens happens in the open-air.…”