Browsing by Author "Faria, T."
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- Accessing occupational exposure to fungi in a cork industryPublication . Viegas, C.; Clérigo, A.; Faria, T.; Sabino, Raquel; Veríssimo, Cristina; Quintal-Gomes, A.; Viegas, S.In this study we aimed to access fungal exposure in workers from one cork industry through the mycological analysis of their nasal exudate and the environmental fungal contamination of their surroundings as well. Nasal mucous samples from 127 workers were taken with sterilized cotton swabs.The fungal species identified in the collected nose swabs were shown to be correlated with the results obtained in the environment. Eighty workers (63.0%) presented contamination of their nose nostril with Chrysonilia sitophila, which number of colonies was countless. Within the Aspergillus genus, the complexes Fumigati, Circumdati, Versicolores and Candidi were isolated. No azole-resistant Aspergillus isolates grew in the selective media used (screened itraconazole and voriconazole resistance).This approach allowed us to estimate the risk associated with these tasks performance. Moreover, the cork industry is related to high dust contamination and this can promote exposure to fungi since dust particles can act as carriers of fungi to the worker’s nose. Assessment by molecular tools will ensure the specific targeting of DNA from P. glabrum complex in workers nose.
- Fungal contamination in one hotel room: Does carpet coating in the floor enhance fungal contamination?Publication . Viegas, C.; Faria, T.; Carolino, E.; Sabino, Raquel; Viegas, S.Study developed in order to know the carpet influence when used in the floor of a hotel room. Twelve air samples of 250L (six in a room with carpet and six more in a room with wood floor) were collected through an impaction method with a flow rate of 140 L/min onto malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05%), using the Millipore air Tester (Millipore), during cleaning activities. Outdoor sample was also performed to be used as a reference. Surface samples from floor and desks, taken at the same time, were collected by the swabbing method. to 7 days. Besides fungal contamination, we also assessed particulate matter contamination in both rooms during the same cleaning tasks. In the analyzed sur- faces, isolates belonging to Aspergillus fumigatus complex were the only fungi found in the carpeted room, whereas in the other room we found Penicllium sp. (63.6%) and Aspergillus sp. (13.6%) as the most frequent genera. In the case of particles the room with carpet obtained significant higher values for both metrics (PMC and PNC), showing that carpet may has influence on particles’ contamination of the room.
- Fungal contamination in two portuguese wastewater treatment plantsPublication . Viegas, C.; Faria, T.; Gomes, A.Q.; Sabino, R.; Seco, A.; Viegas, S.The presence of filamentous fungi was detected in wastewater and air collected at wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) from several European countries. The aim of the present study was to assess fungal contamination in two WWTP operating in Lisbon. In addition, particulate matter (PM) contamination data was analyzed. To apply conventional methods, air samples from the two plants were collected through impaction using an air sampler with a velocity air rate of 140 L/min. Surfaces samples were collected by swabbing the surfaces of the same indoor sites. All collected samples were incubated at 27◦C for 5 to 7 d. After lab processing and incubation of collected samples, quantitative and qualitative results were obtained with identification of the isolated fungal species. For molecular methods, air samples of 250 L were also collected using the impinger method at 300 L/min airflow rate. Samples were collected into 10 ml sterile phosphate-buffered saline with 0.05% Triton X-100, and the collection liquid was subsequently used for DNA extraction. Molecular identification of Aspergillus fumigatus and Stachybotrys chartarum was achieved by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the Rotor-Gene 6000 qPCR Detection System (Corbett). Assessment of PM was also conducted with portable direct-reading equipment (Lighthouse, model 3016 IAQ). Particles concentration measurement was performed at five different sizes: PM0.5, PM1, PM2.5, PM5, and PM10. Sixteen different fungal species were detected in indoor air in a total of 5400 isolates in both plants. Penicillium sp. was the most frequently isolated fungal genus (58.9%), followed by Aspergillus sp. (21.2%) and Acremonium sp. (8.2%), in the total underground area. In a partially underground plant, Penicillium sp. (39.5%) was also the most frequently isolated, also followed by Aspergillus sp. (38.7%) and Acremonium sp. (9.7%). Using RT-PCR, only A. fumigatus was detected in air samples collected, and only from partial underground plant. Stachybotrys chartarum was not detected in any of the samples analyzed. The distribution of particle sizes showed the same tendency in both plants; however, the partially underground plant presented higher levels of contamination, except for PM2.5. Fungal contamination assessment is crucial to evaluating the potential health risks to exposed workers in these settings. In order to achieve an evaluation of potential health risks to exposed workers, it is essential to combine conventional and molecular methods for fungal detection. Protective measures to minimize worker exposure to fungi need to be adopted since wastewater is the predominant internal fungal source in this setting.