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Medycyna Pracy Dec 2023The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) in reducing odour nuisances in agricultural work environment. Additionally, an...
BACKGROUND
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) in reducing odour nuisances in agricultural work environment. Additionally, an assessment was conducted on the microbiological contamination of FFRs and the functionality of Time4Mask application in enhancing workplace safety.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Two types of FFRs were used for the study: with absorbing properties and reference ones. The research was carried out in 6 livestock rooms during a 1-week period in early spring (February-March 2021) on a farm in central Poland. The microclimate conditions (thermoanemometer), and particulate matter concentrations (laser photometer) were assessed. Additionally, the odour content in the studied rooms and the breathing zone of FFR users (gas chromatography with mass spectrometry) were evaluated. The number of microorganisms on the respirators was determined (cultivation method), followed by their identification (biochemical tests, taxonomic keys). Breakthrough curves were determined for both FFR types to assess absorption capabilities.
RESULTS
The average temperature in the livestock rooms was about 13°C, relative humidity - 53%, air flow velocity - 0.21 m/s, and particulate matter concentration - 0.216 mg/m. A significant variety of odorants was found in the environment and the breathing zone under the FFRs. Bacterial counts ranged between 2.4 × 10 and 2.6 × 10 CFU/cm, fungi between 3.2 × 10 and 5.4 × 10 CFU/cm, xerophilic fungi from 4.4 × 10 to 4.0 × 10 CFU/cm, mannitol-positive staphylococci between 1.6 × 10 and 1.0 × 10 CFU/cm, and haemolytic staphylococci from 2.2 × 10 to 4.5 × 10 CFU/cm, depending on the respirator type. Respirators were colonized by bacteria from the genera: , , actinobacteria sp., and fungi: , , , , and . Respirators with absorbing properties had over 8-times longer breakthrough time than reference ones.
CONCLUSIONS
Respirators with activated carbon effectively improved work comfort when exposed to odours. Due to growth of microorganisms in the respirator materials, periodic replacement is necessary. It is crucial to provide workers with information about the safe-use time of respirators, considering environmental conditions. This is achievable using modern IT tools like Time4Mask application. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;76(5):363-75.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Occupational Exposure; Odorants; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Particulate Matter; Ventilators, Mechanical; Fungi; Bacteria; Respiratory Protective Devices
PubMed: 38104337
DOI: 10.13075/mp.5893.01441 -
American Journal of Otolaryngology 2021Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) is aggressive morbidity affecting immunocompromised patients. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may allow secondary fungal...
BACKGROUND
Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) is aggressive morbidity affecting immunocompromised patients. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may allow secondary fungal disease through a propensity to cause respiratory infection by affecting the immune system leading to dysregulation and reduced numbers of T lymphocytes, CD4+T, and CD8+T cells, altering the innate immunity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) in COVID-19 patients.
METHODOLOGY
Data for acute invasive rhinosinusitis was obtained from the Otorhinolaryngology departments at our tertiary hospital at the period from January 2017 to December 2020. Then the risk factors of comorbid diseases and fungal types between post-COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups regarding the incidence of AIFRS are compared.
RESULTS
Consequently, the incidence of AIFRS showed a more significant difference (P < 0.05) in post-COVID-19 patients than in non-COVID-19 especially in immunocompromised patients, diabetic, renal, and liver dysfunction patients as well as patients with risk factors of AIFRS. The most common organisms affecting patients with AIFRS are Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Absidia mucor.
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of AIFRS is markedly prominent in post-COVID-19 patients than in those of non-COVID-19, especially in immunocompromised, diabetic, renal, and liver dysfunction patients and patients with risk factors for rhinosinusitis.
Topics: Absidia; Acute Disease; Aged; Aspergillus fumigatus; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; COVID-19; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunocompromised Host; Incidence; Invasive Fungal Infections; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Rhinitis; Rhizopus oryzae; Risk Factors; Sinusitis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young Adult
PubMed: 34022619
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103080 -
Biology Jun 2021Bats can contribute to an increase of aeromycota in underground ecosystems and might be a vector/reservoir of microorganisms; however, there is no information about the...
Bats can contribute to an increase of aeromycota in underground ecosystems and might be a vector/reservoir of microorganisms; however, there is no information about the number and species composition of fungi around hibernating bats. One of the most common species in Europe with direct human contact is the greater mouse-eared bat (). The goal of our research was the first report of the airborne fungi present in the close vicinity of hibernating in the Nietoperek bat reserve (Western Poland) by the use of culture-based techniques and genetic and phenotypic identifications. Aerobiological investigations of mycobiota under hibernating bats were performed on two culture media (PDA and YPG) and at two incubation temperatures (7 and 24 ± 0.5 °C). Overall, we detected 32 fungal species from three phyla (, , and ) and 12 genera. The application of YPG medium and the higher incubation temperature showed higher numbers of isolated fungal species and CFU. spp. were dominant in the study, with spores found outside the underground hibernation site from 51.9% to 86.3% and from 56.7% to 100% inside the bat reserve. was the most frequently isolated species, then , , , , , and . Temperature, relative humidity, and the abundance of bats correlated positively with the concentration of airborne fungal propagules, between fungal species diversity, and the concentration of aeromycota, but the number of fungal species did not positively correlate with the number of bats. The air in the underground site was more contaminated by fungi than the air outside; however, the concentration of aeromycota does not pose a threat for human health. Nevertheless, hibernating bats contribute to an increase in the aeromycota and as a vector/reservoir of microscopic fungi, including those that may cause allergies and infections in mammals, and should be monitored.
PubMed: 34199108
DOI: 10.3390/biology10070593 -
Cureus Nov 2021A 28-year-old farmer with class IV lupus nephritis presented with a two-week history of a right shin lesion. The lesion was purple in color, fungating, and indurated...
A 28-year-old farmer with class IV lupus nephritis presented with a two-week history of a right shin lesion. The lesion was purple in color, fungating, and indurated with a focus of deep ulceration at the inferior pole and punctate, bleeding from its surface. Three months earlier, he was started on induction immunosuppression for a relapse of his lupus nephritis. Since the diagnosis of lupus nephritis, nine years previously, he had had six flares of his disease and had been treated at different time points with cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and high-dose corticosteroids, without adverse events. Laboratory investigations showed improving kidney function (chronic kidney disease [CKD] stage IV) with reducing proteinuria, on his current immunosuppressive regimen. The differential diagnosis for this lesion was calciphylaxis, pyoderma gangrenosum, vasculitic lesion, or an infection. Histology and microbiological analysis confirmed the presence of He was treated with a combination of isavuconazole, reduction of his immunosuppressive agents, excision of the lesion, and skin grafting.
PubMed: 34912648
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19512 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022-bark beetles are associated with microbes that can detoxify terpenes, degrade complex molecules, supplement and recycle nutrients, fix nitrogen, produce semiochemicals,...
-bark beetles are associated with microbes that can detoxify terpenes, degrade complex molecules, supplement and recycle nutrients, fix nitrogen, produce semiochemicals, and regulate ecological interactions between microbes. Females of some species harbor microbes in specialized organs called mycetangia; yet little is known about the microbial diversity contained in these structures. Here, we use metabarcoding to characterize mycetangial fungi from beetle species in the complex, and analyze variation in biodiversity of microbial assemblages between beetle species. Overall fungal diversity was represented by 4 phyla, 13 classes, 25 orders, 39 families, and 48 genera, including 33 filamentous fungi, and 15 yeasts. The most abundant genera were , , , , , , , , , and . Analysis of α-diversity indicated that fungal assemblages of . showed the highest richness and diversity, whereas those associated with . and . had the lowest richness and diversity, respectively. Analysis of β-diversity showed clear differentiation in the assemblages associated with . , . , and . , but not between closely related species, including . and . and . and . . A core mycobiome was not statistically identified; however, the genus was shared among seven beetle species. Interpretation of a tanglegram suggests evolutionary congruence between fungal assemblages and species of the . complex. The presence of different amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of the same genus in assemblages from species of the . complex outlines the complexity of molecular networks, with the most complex assemblages identified from . , . , . , and . . Analysis of functional variation of fungal assemblages indicated multiple trophic groupings, symbiotroph/saprotroph guilds represented with the highest frequency (∼31% of identified genera). These findings improve our knowledge about the diversity of mycetangial communities in species of the . complex and suggest that minimal apparently specific assemblages are maintained and regulated within mycetangia.
PubMed: 36187976
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.969230 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2017Biotransformation of daidzein, genistein and biochanin A by three selected filamentous fungi was investigated. As a result of biotransformations, six glycosylation...
Biotransformation of daidzein, genistein and biochanin A by three selected filamentous fungi was investigated. As a result of biotransformations, six glycosylation products were obtained. Fungus converted all tested isoflavones to 4″--methyl-7--glucosyl derivatives, whereas and were able to transform genistein and biochanin A to genistin and sissotrin, respectively. In the culture of , in addition to the sissotrin, the product of glucosylation at position 5 was formed. Two of the obtained compounds have not been published so far: 4″--methyl-7--glucosyl biochanin A and 5-glucosyl biochanin A (isosissotrin). Biotransformation products were obtained with 22%-40% isolated yield.
Topics: Absidia; Beauveria; Bioreactors; Biotransformation; Fermentation; Genistein; Glycosylation; Isoflavones
PubMed: 28054950
DOI: 10.3390/molecules22010081 -
Acta Bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Apr 2020Fungal contamination in a University building.
UNLABELLED
Fungal contamination in a University building.
BACKGROUND.
It is recognized that airborne fungi can cause illnesses in humans but data on environmental exposure are still poor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fungal airborne contamination in a university building.
METHODS.
The study was performed in February and May 2018; air samples were collected, before activity (on Monday) and during activity, (on Friday), both through active (CFU/m) and passive (Index of microbial air contamination, IMA) method. Fungi were identified by using the scotch test.
RESULTS.
In February the median fungal contamination value decreased from 14 CFU/m before activity to 7 CFU/m during activity, while IMA median remains 0. Instead in May both increased during activity (from 87 to 140 CFU/m; from 5.5 to 7.5 IMA). Overall values increased in May compared to February. spp., pp., spp. spp. were the genera most frequently isolated in both months, while in May spp. e spp. were recovered too.
CONCLUSIONS.
Seasonal trend in the levels of fungal contamination of the air was observed, with a statistically significant increase in May. This study represents the first step of a wider study aimed at enhancing knowledge about air fungal contamination.
Topics: Air Microbiology; Fungi; Humans; Italy; Universities
PubMed: 32275281
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i3-S.9426 -
Mycobiology Mar 2016During a biodiversity survey of undiscovered taxa in Korea, two zygomycetous fungal strains were isolated. The first strain, EML-FSDY6-1 was isolated from a soil sample...
During a biodiversity survey of undiscovered taxa in Korea, two zygomycetous fungal strains were isolated. The first strain, EML-FSDY6-1 was isolated from a soil sample collected at Dokdo Island in the East Sea of Korea in 2013, and the second strain, EML-DG-NH3-1 was isolated from a rat dung sample collected at Chonnam National University garden, Gwangju, Korea in 2014. Based on the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer, 18S and 28S rDNA, actin and translation elongation factor-1α genes. EML-FSDY6-1 and EML-DG-NH3-1 isolates were confirmed as zygomycete species, Absidia pseudocylindrospora and Absidia glauca, respectively. Neither species has previously been described in Korea.
PubMed: 27103852
DOI: 10.5941/MYCO.2016.44.1.29 -
PeerJ 2024Plastic waste is a global environmental issue that impacts the well-being of humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. Microplastic contamination has been previously...
BACKGROUND
Plastic waste is a global environmental issue that impacts the well-being of humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. Microplastic contamination has been previously reported at Kung Wiman Beach, located in Chanthaburi province along with the Eastern Gulf of Thailand. Our research aimed to study the microbial population of the sand and plastisphere and isolate microorganisms with potential plastic degradation activity.
METHODS
Plastic and sand samples were collected from Kung Wiman Beach for microbial isolation on agar plates. The plastic samples were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Plastic degradation properties were evaluated by observing the halo zone on mineral salts medium (MSM) supplemented with emulsified plastics, including polystyrene (PS), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). Bacteria and fungi were identified by analyzing nucleotide sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, respectively. 16S and ITS microbiomes analysis was conducted on the total DNA extracted from each sample to assess the microbial communities.
RESULTS
Of 16 plastic samples, five were identified as polypropylene (PP), four as polystyrene (PS), four as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), two as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and one sample remained unidentified. Only 27 bacterial and 38 fungal isolates were found to have the ability to degrade PLA or BHET on MSM agar. However, none showed degradation capabilities for PS or PVC on MSM agar. Notably, sp. PP5 showed the highest hydrolysis capacity of 1.64 ± 0.12. The 16S rRNA analysis revealed 13 bacterial genera, with seven showing plastic degradation abilities: , , , , , , and . This study reports, for the first time of the BHET-degrading properties of the genera and . Additionally, The ITS analysis identified nine fungal genera, five of which demonstrated plastic degradation abilities: , , , , and . Microbial community composition analysis and linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed certain dominant microbial groups in the plastic and sand samples that were absent under culture-dependent conditions. Furthermore, 16S and ITS amplicon microbiome analysis revealed microbial groups were significantly different in the plastic and sand samples collected.
CONCLUSIONS
We reported on the microbial communities found on the plastisphere at Kung Wiman Beach and isolated and identified microbes with the capacity to degrade PLA and BHET.
Topics: Actinomycetales; Agar; Bacteria; Microbiota; Plastics; Polyesters; Polystyrenes; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sand
PubMed: 38590706
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17165 -
Case Reports in Gastroenterology 2016Zygomycosis is a rare invasive opportunistic fungal infection that occurs in the setting of hematologic malignancies, chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and...
Zygomycosis is a rare invasive opportunistic fungal infection that occurs in the setting of hematologic malignancies, chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and immunosuppressive therapies. We report the first case of disseminated appendiceal zygomycosis due to Absidia spp. in a neutropenic patient who initially presented as acute appendicitis. A 63-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia presented as acute appendicitis while receiving induction chemotherapy and ultimately succumbed to overwhelming disseminated zygomycosis. Initial symptoms included loose stools and right lower abdominal pain unresponsive to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Clinical examination and cross-sectional imaging suggested acute appendicitis. The final diagnosis was established by histological evaluations of the ileocecectomy specimen, which showed angioinvasive fungal organisms within the necrotic appendiceal wall with characteristics typical of zygomycetes. Fungal cultures demonstrated Absidia spp. The patient was treated with amphotericin B but expired in the setting of fungal sepsis. A diagnosis of a fungal infection, including zygomycosis, should be considered in all chemotherapy-induced neutropenic patients who present with symptoms of acute appendicitis. A high index of clinical suspicion with prompt histologic and culture diagnosis of zygomycosis may reduce the high mortality and morbidity associated with zygomycosis of the gastrointestinal tract.
PubMed: 27403107
DOI: 10.1159/000444275