Analysis Approaches for Fungi in Indoor Environmental Assessments

Mensah-Attipoe, Jacob; Täubel, Martin

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-61688-9_6

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 115 publications

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“…This may be associated with the absence of fungal viability due to an impediment to grow in culture (e.g., due to competition for nutrients), while the molecular tools enable even non-viable microorganisms to be identified [48]. Failure to detect the Aspergillus section Fumigati by qPCR in swabs and air samples (in contrast to the results obtained by culture) may be associated with ineffective DNA extraction in sample processing, or the presence of inhibitors (such as particles from air samples), misleading the results [4,49,50]. Without diminishing the advantages of molecular analysis, classical culture-based methods are still necessary to assess the viability of pathogenic microorganisms related to their infectivity potential.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspergillus Section Fumigati in Firefighter Headquarters

et al. 2021

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Background: Aspergillus section Fumigati is one of the Aspergillus sections more frequently related to respiratory symptoms and by other health outcomes. This study aimed to characterize Aspergillus section Fumigati distribution in eleven firefighter headquarters (FFHs) to obtain an accurate occupational exposure assessment. Methods: A sampling approach protocol was performed using active (impaction method) and passive sampling methods (floor surfaces swabs, electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs), and settled dust). All samples were analysed by culture-based methods and passive sampling was used for molecular detection of Aspergillus section Fumigati. Results: Of all the matrices, the highest counts of Aspergillus sp. were obtained on settled dust filters (3.37% malt extract agar—MEA, 19.09% dichloran glycerol—DG18) followed by cleaning cloths (1.67% MEA; 7.07% DG18). Among the Aspergillus genus, the Fumigati section was predominant in Millipore and EDC samples in MEA (79.77% and 28.57%, respectively), and in swabs and settled dust filters in DG18 (44.76% and 30%, respectively). The Fumigati section was detected more frequently in DG18 (33.01%) compared to MEA (0.33%). The Fumigati section was observed in azole supplemented media (itraconazole and voriconazole) in several passive sampling methods employed and detected by qPCR in almost all passive samples, with EDCs being the matrix with the highest prevalence (n = 61; 67.8%). Conclusion: This study confirms that Aspergillus sp. is widespread and the Fumigati section is present in all FFHs. The presence of fungi potentially resistant to azoles in the FFHs was also observed. Further studies are needed to identify the best corrective and preventive measures to avoid this section contamination in this specific occupational environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspergillus Section Fumigati in Firefighter Headquarters

et al. 2021

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“…Various methods have been used in the microbiology of the built environment, i.e., microscopy, particle counting, culturing, and DNA and chemical analyses [6,[14][15][16]. The sampling of residential buildings is carried out either from the air, dust, building materials and surfaces, or directly from microbial growth when evident [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Methods to Identify and Monitor Mold Damages in Buildings

et al. 2022

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Molds thrive in indoor environments, challenging the stability of building materials and occupants’ health. Diverse sampling and analytical techniques can be applied in the microbiology of buildings, with specific benefits and drawbacks. We evaluated the use of two methods, the microscopy of visible mold growth (hereinafter “mold” samples) (tape lifts) and the DNA metabarcoding of mold and dust samples (swabs), for mapping mold-damage indicator fungi in residential buildings in Oslo. Overall, both methods provided consistent results for the mold samples, where nearly 80% of the microscopy-identified taxa were confirmed by DNA analyses. Aspergillus was the most abundant genus colonizing all materials, while some taxa were associated with certain substrates: Acremonium with gypsum board, Chaetomium with chipboard, Stachybotrys with gypsum board and wood, and Trichoderma with wood. Based on the DNA data, the community composition was clearly different between the mold and the dust, with a much higher alpha diversity in the dust. Most genera identified in the mold were also detected with a low abundance in the dust from the same apartments. Their spatial distribution indicated some local spread from the mold growth to other areas, but there was no clear correlation between the relative abundances and the distance to the damages. To study mold damages, different microbiological analyses (microscopy, cultivation, DNA, and chemistry) should be combined with a thorough inspection of buildings. The interpretation of such datasets requires the collaboration of skilled mycologists and building consultants.

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“…The classical methods used for assessing exposure to indoor molds rely on the environmental evaluation of molds in the air, surface sampling, visual or microscopic examinations, cultures in specific media, and the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) [10,[15][16][17]. However, these methods have several limitations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and Validation of a Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of 21 Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds in Ambient and Exhaled Air by Thermal Desorption and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

et al. 2022

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Microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) are metabolites developed by indoor molds responsible for several health effects. Their detection may be an alternative approach for fungal exposure assessment, given that the classical methods have limitations. The goal of this study was to develop and validate an analytical method to quantify 21 mVOCs in ambient and exhaled air using active sampling on sorbent tubes followed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. Tenax/Carbograph sorbent was selected for its extraction/desorption efficiency. Reliable linearity was obtained over the concentration range of mVOCs with low limits of detection (≥1.76 ng/m3) and quantification (≥5.32 ng/m3). Furthermore, accuracy and precision in the percentage recoveries ranged between 80–118% with coefficients of variations lower than 4.35% for all mVOCs. Feasibility tests with ambient air of different places (toxicology laboratory, office, and mold contaminated bedroom) showed that variations between settings were observable and that the highest mVOCs concentrations in the bedroom. Consequently, concentrations of 17 mVOCs were higher in the volunteer’s exhalate after exposure in the bedroom than in the laboratory. In conclusion, this method allows the detection of mVOCs in a new matrix, i.e., exhaled air and targeting the contaminated environment and, therefore, intervening for the protection of human health.

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Analysis Approaches for Fungi in Indoor Environmental Assessments

Cited by 6 publications

References 115 publications

Aspergillus Section Fumigati in Firefighter Headquarters

Aspergillus Section Fumigati in Firefighter Headquarters

Comparison of Methods to Identify and Monitor Mold Damages in Buildings

Development and Validation of a Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of 21 Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds in Ambient and Exhaled Air by Thermal Desorption and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

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