Percorrer por autor "Gunde-Cimerman, Nina"
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- Beach sand and the potential for infectious disease transmission: observations and recommendationsPublication . Solo-Gabriele, Helena M.; Harwood, Valerie J.; Kay, David; Fujioka, Roger S.; Sadowsky, Michael J.; Whitman, Richard L.; Wither, Andrew; Caniça, Manuela; Carvalho da Fonseca, Rita; Duarte, Aida; Edge, Thomas A.; Gargaté, Maria J.; Gunde-Cimerman, Nina; Hagen, Ferry; McLellan, Sandra L.; Nogueira da Silva, Alexandra; Novak Babič, Monika; Prada, Susana; Rodrigues, Raquel; Romão, Daniela; Sabino, Raquel; Samson, Robert A.; Segal, Esther; Staley, Christopher; Taylor, Huw D.; Veríssimo, Cristina; Viegas, Carla; Barroso, Helena; Brandão, JoãoRecent studies suggest that sand can serve as a vehicle for exposure of humans to pathogens at beach sites, resulting in increased health risks. Sampling for microorganisms in sand should therefore be considered for inclusion in regulatory programmes aimed at protecting recreational beach users from infectious disease. Here, we review the literature on pathogen levels in beach sand, and their potential for affecting human health. In an effort to provide specific recommendations for sand sampling programmes, we outline published guidelines for beach monitoring programs, which are currently focused exclusively on measuring microbial levels in water. We also provide background on spatial distribution and temporal characteristics of microbes in sand, as these factors influence sampling programs. First steps toward establishing a sand sampling program include identifying appropriate beach sites and use of initial sanitary assessments to refine site selection. A tiered approach is recommended for monitoring. This approach would include the analysis of samples from many sites for faecal indicator organisms and other conventional analytes, while testing for specific pathogens and unconventional indicators is reserved for high-risk sites. Given the diversity of microbes found in sand, studies are urgently needed to identify the most significant aetiological agent of disease and to relate microbial measurements in sand to human health risk.
- Children and Sand Play: Screening of Potential Harmful Microorganisms in Sandboxes, Parks, and BeachesPublication . Romão, Daniela; Sabino, Raquel; Veríssimo, Cristina; Viegas, Carla; Barroso, Helena; Duarte, Aida; Solo-Gabriele, Helena; Gunde-Cimerman, Nina; Babič, Monika Novak; Marom, Tal; Brandão, JoãoSand serves as a reservoir for potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Children, a high risk group, can acquire infections from sand in sandboxes, recreational areas, and beaches. This paper reviews the microbes in sands, with an emphasis on fungi. Currently monitoring in sandboxes is limited to measurements of Toxocara eggs, although other microbes have been documented. Recreational areas and beach sands have also been found to harbour many types of fungi and microbes. A newly emerging group of fungi of concern include the black yeast-like fungi. After establishing that sand is a reservoir for fungi, clinical manifestations of fungal infections are described with an emphasis on ocular and ear infections. Overall, we recommend environmental studies to develop monitoring strategies for sand and studies to evaluate the link between fungi exposure in sand and human health impacts.
- Fungal Contaminants in Drinking Water Regulation? A Tale of Ecology, Exposure, Purification and Clinical RelevancePublication . Babič, Monika; Gunde-Cimerman, Nina; Vargha, Márta; Tischner, Zsófia; Magyar, Donát; Veríssimo, Cristina; Sabino, Raquel; Viegas, Carla; Meyer, Wieland; Brandão, JoãoMicrobiological drinking water safety is traditionally monitored mainly by bacterial parameters that indicate faecal contamination. These parameters correlate with gastro-intestinal illness, despite the fact that viral agents, resulting from faecal contamination, are usually the cause. This leaves behind microbes that can cause illness other than gastro-intestinal and several emerging pathogens, disregarding non-endemic microbial contaminants and those with recent pathogenic activity reported. This white paper focuses on one group of contaminants known to cause allergies, opportunistic infections and intoxications: Fungi. It presents a review on their occurrence, ecology and physiology. Additionally, factors contributing to their presence in water distribution systems, as well as their effect on water quality are discussed. Presence of opportunistic and pathogenic fungi in drinking water can pose a health risk to consumers due to daily contact with water, via several exposure points, such as drinking and showering. The clinical relevance and influence on human health of the most common fungal contaminants in drinking water is discussed. Our goal with this paper is to place fungal contaminants on the roadmap of evidence based and emerging threats for drinking water quality safety regulations.
- Integrating Fungi in the Drinking Water Regulation and in Guidelines for Materials in Contact With Drinking Water. Is there Room for Change?Publication . Novak Babič, Monika; Brandão, João; Gunde-Cimerman, NinaDrinking water is essential for life. To ensure its safe use, up to date regulation is promoted by the World Health Organization, but ultimately established by individual countries and states federations. The European Union uses directives transposed to Member-states legislation. This regulation targets specific bacterial pathogens, but changes, like climate alterations, increasing human population and antimicrobial resistance bring along the necessity to adjust regulation to emerging threats. The authors herewith discuss the integration of fungi in drinking water regulation and in guidelines for materials in contact with drinking water. Core species should be established with possible indicators and specificities of water distribution to more susceptible users.
- Knowledge and regulation on fungal contamination of sand and water: progress report and perspectivesPublication . Gangneux, Jean-Pierre; Brandão, João; Segal, Ester; Arikan-Akdagli, Sevtap; Barac, Aleksandra; Bertout, Sébastien; Bostanaru, Andra-Cristina; Brito, Sara; Bull, Michelle; Çerikçioğlu, Nilgün; Chapman, Belinda; Delhaes, Laurence; Efstratiou, Maria; Ergin, Çagri; Frenkel, Michael; Guerra, Alexis Danielle; Gitto, Aurora; Gonçalves, Cláudia Isabel; Guegan, Hélène; Gunde-Cimerman, Nina; Güran, Mümtaz; Irinyi, Laszlo; Jiang, Sunny; Jonikaitė, Egle; Jozić, Slaven; Kataržytė, Marija; Klingspor, Lena; Mares, Mihai; Meijer, Wim; Melchers, Willem; Meletiadis, Joseph; Meyer, Wieland; Nastasa, Valentin; Novak-Babič, Monika; Ogunc, Dilara; Ozhak, Betil; Prigitano, Anna; Ranque, Stéphane; Richardson, Malcolm; Roger, Frédéric; Rusu, Raluca-Oana; Sabino, Raquel; Sampaio, Ana; Silva, Susana; Solo-gabriele, Helena; Stephens, Jayne; Tehupeiory-Kooreman, Marlou; Tortorano, Anna-Maria; Velegraki, Aristea; Veríssimo, Cristina; Vukić Lušić, Darija; Wunderlich, GeorgoaFungal flora in coastal/inland beach sand and recreational water is a neglected field of study, despite its potential impact on human health. A joint International Society for Human and Animal Mycology/European Confederation for Medical Mycology (ISHAM/ECMM) working group was formed in 2019 with the task to set up a vast international initiative aimed at studying the fungal contamination of beaches and bathing waters. Here we review the importance of the topic, and list the main results and achievements from 12 scientific publications. Fungal contamination exists at different levels, and the genera most frequently found were Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., Fusarium spp., and Cryptococcus spp., both in sand and in water. A site-blind median was found to be 89 colony-forming units of fungi per gram of sand in coastal/inland freshwaters. This threshold has been used for the sand quality criterion of the blue flag in Portugal. Additionally, our data were considered pivotal and therefore used for the first inclusion of fungi as a biological taxon of interest in water quality and sand monitoring recommendations of the World Health Organization's new guidelines on recreational water quality (Vol.1-Chap7). The findings of the consortium also suggest how environmental conditions (climate, salinity, soil pH, nitrogen, etc.) influence microbial communities in different regions, and that yeast species like Candida glabrata, Clavispora lusitaniae, and Meyerozyma guilliermondii have been identified as potential fungal indicators of fecal contamination. Climate change and natural disasters may affect fungal populations in different environments, and because this is still a field of study under exploration, we also propose to depict the future challenges of research and unmet needs.
- Microbiological and chemical quality of ice used to preserve fish in Lisbon marketplacesPublication . Teixeira, Pedro; Brandão, João; Silva, Susana; Babič, Monika Novak; Gunde-Cimerman, Nina; Pires, Joana; Costa, Sílvia; Valério, ElisabeteIce is widely used to preserve fish on markets, playing a major role in the food industry. If manufactured, stored or distributed in inadequate sanitary conditions, it can represent a considerable health risk for both consumers and professionals. The present study characterizes ice used in marketplaces, on microbiological and chemical parameters. The aim was to assess potential risks on occupational exposure and consumer safety and therewith plan orientation guidelines. Sampling took place in 18 marketplaces in Lisbon, with ice samples collected at three different stages— production (n = 29), storage (n = 30), and product-contact (n = 29). No significant contamination was found in production and storage stages, demonstrating that ice production and storage procedures are adequate regarding sanitary conditions. With exception for Salmonella, significantly higher concentrations of microbial parameters were identified in product-contact stages, specifically Total Coliforms (548 MPN/100 mL), Escherichia coli (1 MPN/100 mL), Enterococci (29 MPN/100 mL), Staphylococcus aureus (271 CFU/100 mL), HPC at 5 , 22 , and 37 (>301 CFU/mL). Our study also shows that the majority of samples from ice production and storage comply with national regulations regarding drinking water quality. Yet, occupational health and consumer risks may still exist at the final product-contact stage, as significant contamination was detected.. Practical applications The present study can be used as a model for ice quality monitoring in fish preservation, serving as a tool for quality control and fast contamination detection during the several process stages. This monitoring model is an important contribution for assuring the safety of the preserved products, as well as, occupational health improvement and consumer risk protection.
- Occurrence, Diversity and Anti-Fungal Resistance of Fungi in Sand of an Urban Beach in Slovenia—Environmental Monitoring with Possible Health Risk ImplicationsPublication . Novak Babič, Monika; Gunde-Cimerman, Nina; Breskvar, Martin; Džeroski, Sašo; Brandão, JoãoBeach safety regulation is based on faecal indicators in water, leaving out sand and fungi, whose presence in both matrices has often been reported. To study the abundance, diversity and possible fluctuations of mycobiota, fungi from sand and seawater were isolated from the Portorož beach (Slovenia) during a 1-year period. Sand analyses yielded 64 species of 43 genera, whereas seawater samples yielded 29 species of 18 genera. Environmental and taxonomical data of fungal communities were analysed using machine learning approaches. Changes in the air and water temperature , sunshine hours, humidity and precipitation, air pressure and wind speed appeared to affect mycobiota. The core genera Aphanoascus, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Bisifusarium, Penicillium, Tala-romyces, and Rhizopus were found to compose a stable community within sand, although their presence and abundance fluctuated along with weather changes. Aspergillus spp. were the most abundant and thus tested against nine antimycotics using Sensititre Yeast One kit. Aspergillus niger and A. welwitschiae isolates were found to be resistant to amphotericin B. Additionally, four possible human pollution indicators were isolated during the bathing season, including Meyerozyma, which can be used in beach microbial regulation. Our findings provide the foundations for additional research on sand and seawater mycobiota and show the potential effect of global warming and extreme weather events on fungi in sand and sea.
- Opportunistic Water-Borne Human Pathogenic Filamentous Fungi Unreported from FoodPublication . Novak Babič, Monika; Zupančič, Jerneja; Brandão, João; Gunde-Cimerman, NinaClean drinking water and sanitation are fundamental human rights recognized by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and the Human Rights Council in 2010 (Resolution 64/292). In modern societies, water is not related only to drinking, it is also widely used for personal and home hygiene, and leisure. Ongoing human population and subsequent environmental stressors challenge the current standards on safe drinking and recreational water, requiring regular updating. Also, a changing Earth and its increasingly frequent extreme weather events and climatic changes underpin the necessity to adjust regulation to a risk-based approach. Although fungi were never introduced to water quality regulations, the incidence of fungal infections worldwide is growing, and changes in antimicrobial resistance patterns are taking place. The presence of fungi in different types of water has been thoroughly investigated during the past 30 years only in Europe, and more than 400 different species were reported from ground-, surface-, and tap-water. The most frequently reported fungi, however, were not waterborne, but are frequently related to soil, air, and food. This review focuses on waterborne filamentous fungi, unreported from food, that offer a pathogenic potential.