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- Fungal diversity in lake and sea beaches of Italy: Relevance to human healthPublication . Prigitano, Anna; Trovato, Laura; Esposto, Maria Carmela; Brandão, João; Cogliati, Massimo; Gatta, Giacomo Diego; Grancini, Anna; Migliorisi, Giuseppe; Oliveri, Salvatore; Romanò, Luisa; Silva, Susana; Tortorano, Anna MariaFungal diseases correlated to beach sand or water have not yet been demonstrated due to the lack of epidemiological studies. This study aims to illustrate the fungal population in beach sands of the two largest Italian lakes and in sands and waters of Mediterranean coasts of Southern Italy to contribute to the identification and assessment of causes of microbiological pollution that might impair bathers health. A great difference was observed between the two lakes, where the total of colony-forming units (CFU) ranged from 33.3 to 1049.9 CFU/g. For coastal sands, the total CFU ranged from 216.7 to 538.8 CFU/g, and for coastal waters the total ranged from 185 to 368.7 CFU/ml. The survey revealed the prevalence of opportunistic pathogenic moulds, mainly Aspergillus spp. (A. niger and A. fumigatus) and Penicillium spp., both in freshwater and costal bathing sites. Dermatophytes and yeasts were not detected in the freshwater sands while they were found at low load in coastal waters (3.3 CFU/ml) and sands (1.7 CFU/g). Differences were observed between urban and non-urban coastal beaches with regard to isolation of dermatophytes only from one urban beach. The present study reports a great diversity of fungi in sand and water of bathing beaches confirming that the Mediterranean region has a greater variety of fungal species.
- Exploring fungal contamination in the sand and water around the Mediterranean Sea and other water bodies of EuropePublication . Brandão, JoãoResearch on microbial life in beach sands began during the 1980s. Since then, many reports and scientific papers have been published on the subject. Especially after the year 2000, the number of publications in this area has been increasing exponentially. Many of these address methodological approaches and considerations on the microbiome characterisation and its influence on human health. Clear and precise guidance on the subject, however, has not been achieved. Global warming and climate change is expected to generate a regional de-characterization of the microbiota, due to the geographic expansion of endemic microbes. This will originate infections which are diagnosed with some degree of unexpectedness or difficulty by local clinicians. Much has happened pointing out variants of concerns implicated in future regulation of microbial sand contamination. Yet, most groups working in this theme have one aim and one aim only: To avoid run-off and tide retraction contamination of recreational waters by whatever may lie in the sand (specifically, fecal indicator bacteria, the current parameters used in recreational water quality regulation due to their strong correlation with waterborne gastro-intestinal illness). In light of this fact, a group of medical mycologists and some water microbiologists got together to voluntarily help generate data on fungal contaminants in beaches of Europe. The idea behind the project is to create recommendations of experts on fungal contaminants, who have the knowledge and capability to point out and demonstrate that certain groups of fungi also matter when in the sand, be it beach or of recreational sandboxes and parks. Some of the fungi can also clarify the type of microbial pollution on beach sand, regardless of its taxonomic nature
- Perspectives on regulation for fungi in drinking waterPublication . Brandão, JoãoBasic microbiological water safety is monitored by bacterial parameters that indicate faecal contamination but the list of parameters is often extended at a local or national/state level. Most of the parameters used correlate with gastro-intestinal illness and little more, although viruses are usually the cause of the ailments. Other microbes that can cause illness other than gastro-intestinal and several emerging pathogens are usually not included in drinking water regulation safety parameters. Such is the case of Fungi that persistently fall off the radar of water production, even though there have been reported outbreaks caused by the inhalation of aerosols and are also known causes of taste quality decrease and mycotoxin production. Should the Medical Mycology community lead the way to integrate fungi in current drinking water regulation?
- Investigating correlation of faecal indicator bacteria and potential pathogenic fungi on Dublin beaches in the interest of public healthPublication . Gitto, Aurora; Stephens, Jayne H.; Brandão, João; Wim, MeijerSandy beaches are usually the preferred location for leisure activities but may pose a risk to public health in particular to children, the elderly and immuno compromised individuals Beach sand and marine water may be a reservoir of opportunistic and pathogenic microbes, as well as faecal indicator bacteria (that influence the bathing water quality status. The growth and the proliferation of microbes in beach sand and water are not restricted to bacteria but include also different groups of fungi such as potentially pathogenic and allergenic moulds, yeasts and dermatophytes Currently, no clear guidance about pathogenic fungi levels in relation to public health is available for these environments.
- Environmental and bioclimatic factors influencing yeasts and molds distribution along European shoresPublication . Cogliati, M.; Arikan-Akdagli, S.; Barac, A.; Bostanaru, A.C.; Brito, S.; Çerikçioğlu, N.; Efstratiou, M.A.; Ergin, Ç.; Esposto, M.C.; Frenkel, M.; Gangneux, J.P.; Gitto, A.; Gonçalves, C.I.; Guegan, H.; Gunde-Cimerman, N.; Güran, M.; Jonikaitė, E.; Kataržytė, M.; Klingspor, L.; Mares, M.; Meijer, W.G.; Melchers, W.J.G.; Meletiadis, J.; Nastasa, V.; Babič, M. Novak; Ogunc, D.; Ozhak, B.; Prigitano, A.; Ranque, S.; Romanò, L.; Rusu, R.O.; Sabino, Raquel; Sampaio, A.; Silva, Susana; Stephens, J.H.; Tehupeiory-Kooreman, M.; Velegraki, A.; Veríssimo, Cristina; Segal, E.; Brandão, JoãoThe present study employed data collected during the Mycosands survey to investigate the environmental factors influencing yeasts and molds distribution along European shores applying a species distribution modelling approach. Occurrence data were compared to climatic datasets (temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation), soil datasets (chemical and physical properties), and water datasets (temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a concentration) downloaded from web databases. Analyses were performed by MaxEnt software. Results suggested a different probability of distribution of yeasts and molds along European shores. Yeasts seem to tolerate low temperatures better during winter than molds and this reflects a higher suitability for the Northern European coasts. This difference is more evident considering suitability in waters. Both distributions of molds and yeasts are influenced by basic soil pH, probably because acidic soils are more favorable to bacterial growth. Soils with high nitrogen concentrations are not suitable for fungal growth, which, in contrast, are optimal for plant growth, favored by this environment. Finally, molds show affinity with soil rich in nickel and yeasts with soils rich in cadmium resulting in a distribution mainly at the mouths of European rivers or lagoons, where these metals accumulate in river sediments.