Isolation, identification and testing for allergenicity of fungi from air-conditioned indoor environments

Khan, A. A.; Karuppayil, Sankunny Mohan; Manoharachary, C.; Kunwar, I. K.; Waghray, S.

doi:10.1007/s10453-009-9114-x

Cited by 25 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Fungal spores are universal atmospheric components that are found indoors and outdoors and are associated with a number of allergic diseases in humans including allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis resulting from exposure to spores (8,9). At least 600 species of fungi are in contact with humans and less than 50 are frequently identified and described in epidemiologic studies of indoor environments (10)(11)(12). The prevalence of respiratory allergies to fungi has been estimated at 20% to 30% among atopic individuals and up to 6% in the general population (8).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nasal and Indoors Fungal Contamination in Healthy Subjects

et al. 2016

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Background: Fungi are regarded as one of causal factors of respiratory allergies and are a serious threat to public health in indoor environments. Before conclusively identifying fungi as the major causative agent of all or some types of rhinitis, we should have a good knowledge of the fungal flora of the nasal cavity and indoor building environments of healthy subjects. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the presence and relative abundance of fungal flora in the nasal cavity and bedroom of healthy subjects in Mashhad city, north east of Iran. Patients and Methods: A group of fifty healthy volunteers without a history of respiratory system diseases were selected. Samples from the nasal cavity and different parts of the bedroom including indoor air, pillow, mattress, blanket, dust of the bed, dust of the shelf and dust of the air duct were collected and cultured. The fungi were identified by standard mycological techniques. Results: The most common fungi isolated from all samples were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Yeast, Alternaria and Cladosporium. Stemphylium, Ulocladium, Stachybotrys, Basidiobolus and Exophiala showed the least frequencies among the isolated fungi. Conclusions:The presence of fungi in the nasal cavity and indoors of healthy subjects in this study suggests that fungi should be considered as health hazards. Furthermore, it is important and seems necessary to monitor indoor air quality and raise awareness of existing threats due to microorganisms, including fungi.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nasal and Indoors Fungal Contamination in Healthy Subjects

et al. 2016

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“…Penicillium species were reported occasionally to cause human penicillosis, pulmonary infection and fungemia [48,49]. Moreover Fusarium was reported as causative agents of superficial and systemic infections in humans [50].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Surveillance of Airborne Fungi Contaminating Intensive Care Units and Operation Rooms in Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt

Aboul-Nasr¹,

Zohri²,

Amer³

2014

JHS

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Mycoflora of atmospheric air and dust samples collected from air conditioning systems in 12 of each I.C.U. (intensive care units) and O.R. (operation rooms) were tested using settle and dilution plate methods on four types of agar media and incubated at 25 °C. Forty-five fungal species representing 23 genera were isolated and identified. The most prevalent genera recorded were Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. The total colony forming units of airborne fungi recovered in I.C.U. and O.R. ranged between 31.13-49.61 colonies/m 3 on the four types of media used. The fungal total catch of the dust samples collected from the air conditioning system filters in I.C.U. and O.R. were ranged from 65.5-170 colonies/mg dust. Since, the interest to replace synthetic xenobiotics by natural compounds with low environmental persistence and biodegradable to control such airborne fungal contaminants is needed. In this respect, essential oils showed to possess a broad spectrum of antifungal activity. Fungal static ability of six oils was tested on 30 different fungal isolates. Vapors of common thyme oil exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on the tested isolates, whereas the headspace vapors of blue gum and ginger had no inhibitory effects on the tested fungal isolates. These data revealed that the air conditioning systems may be an important source of contamination in I.C.U. and O.R. of Assiut university hospitals. Thus, patients may be in risk of being exposed to contaminated atmospheric air by opportunistic fungi and the use of essential oils as an alternative option to control hospital wards from fungal contaminants needs further studies.

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“…In a study, data on the air-conditioned indoor environments that were not maintained properly that resulted in contamination with biotic component such as fungi and their potential health hazards such as toxicity, allergy, opportunistic fungal infections as well as their control by employing harmless natural disinfectants were presented (Khan 2009;Khan et al 2009). Indoor fungi and their role in allergy from different cities in India were reported.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Practices contributing to biotic pollution in Air-conditioned indoor environments

Khan

Karuppayil

2010

Aerobiologia

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Indoor environments play important roles in human health. The health hazards posed by polluted indoor environments include allergy, infections and toxicity. The term 'sick building syndrome' (SBS) describes causes of building occupants experiencing adverse health effects that appear to be linked to the time spent in a building. Questionnaire-based data were collected from the people who live or work in air-conditioned (A/C) rooms. Responses of the occupants were analyzed to understand the practices contributing to biotic pollution of indoor air-conditioned environments. Our survey revealed some interesting facts about the users of A/C rooms and their practices that may be contributing to the indoor air quality. The allergy complaints and use of antiallergy medicines were noted commonly among the occupants of government (Govt.) organizations and computer training centers where cleaning of room and A/C filters were not done periodically. Cleaning practices may reduce the complaints.

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Isolation, identification and testing for allergenicity of fungi from air-conditioned indoor environments

Cited by 25 publications

References 23 publications

Nasal and Indoors Fungal Contamination in Healthy Subjects

Nasal and Indoors Fungal Contamination in Healthy Subjects

Indoor Surveillance of Airborne Fungi Contaminating Intensive Care Units and Operation Rooms in Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt

Practices contributing to biotic pollution in Air-conditioned indoor environments

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