Incidence of allergenically significant fungal aerosol in a rural bakery of West Bengal,India

The frequency of fungal spores in the air of three different sections of a rural bakery was analyzed using a Burkard personal slide sampler and Andersen two stage viable sampler. In average concentration of spores (No./m³) was 228–26770/m³ and concentration of viable colony forming units (CFU/m³) was 65-2061 CFU/m³. Dominant fungus species both culturable and nonculturable, were species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, Cladosporiumsp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium citrinum and Alternaria alternata. Seasonal variations in the spore concentrations were clearly observed in case of some fungi. Total culturable mould concentration of different bakery sections sometimes exceeded the acceptable limit for a healthy indoor environment. Antigenic extracts prepared from some dominant culturable fungi showed high level of allergenicity in skin prick tests indicating that they could be responsible for allergic respiratory dysfunction of bakery workers.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Airborne fungi monitoring in Santiago, Chile

Fungal airborne spores were studied from September 1996throughout August 1997 in Santiago, Chile. Total concentrationsfluctuated between 308 and 10,334 spores/m³/day withan annual mean of 2,154 per m³, the highest dispersion beingduring April and May. Forty-five percent of total fungal content wasfound in autumn. Thirteen genera and 3 other spore types wereidentified. Cladosporium, the most abundant genera in ouratmosphere, contributed with 70.9% of the total fungi counts andreached an annual mean of 1,527 spores/m³/day, itshighest frequency being in autumn. Alternaria appeared as thesecond most frequent genera, with an annual mean of 40spores/m³/day, representing a 1.9% of theannual fungal catch. Altogether, Stemphylium, Torula, Epicoccum,Ganoderma, Helminthosporium, Chaetomiun, Pleospora and othersreached relative frequencies of 0.5% or less. It is concludedthat fungi are present in Santiago's atmosphere all year round, some ofthem with a clear seasonality.     

Contribution of leaf surface fungi to the air spora

High concentrations of airborne fungal spores frequently occur from spring through fall in temperate areas of the world. Although it is generally assumed that fungi on leaf surfaces are contributors to the air spora, little data are available comparing the types of fungi found on leaf surfaces with those in the atmosphere. Air sampling was carried out with a Burkard Spore Trap located on the roof of a building on the University of Tulsa campus using standard methods. Leaf samples were aseptically collected from Ulmus americana and Quercus palustris trees on campus, placed in sterile plastic bags, and brought to the lab. For each leaf, 4 cm² areas of both upper and lower leaf surfaces were swabbed and plated on malt extract agar with streptomycin. Cultures were incubated at room temperature for 5–7 days and then examined microscopically. Results were expressed as colony forming units (CFU)/cm². Twenty-one fungal taxa were identified from the air samples. The most abundant taxa were Cladosporium, ascospores, basidiospores, and Alternaria; together these four spore types comprised over 90% of the yearly total. Yeasts were the most abundant fungi isolated from both leaf types. Among the mycelial fungi were Phoma species, followed by Cladosporium and Alternaria. Overall twenty genera of filamentous fungi were identified. Yeasts and Phoma are normally splash dispersed and were not identified in the Burkard air samples. However, 10 taxa isolated from leaf surfaces were registered in air samples. Crude estimates of the leaf surface area of each tree suggest that the total fungal load was approximately 5.04×10⁸ CFU for Ulmus and 2.71×10⁸ CFU for Quercus. Of these levels, 19% were from fungi also detected in air samples. The data suggest that some leaf-surface fungi are major contributors to the air spora.     

Indoor air quality in schools: exposure to fungal allergens

This study examined indoor air quality within schools in Kansas City, Spokane, Santa Fe, and Orlando. Air sampling was undertaken with both Andersen Single Stage Samplers and Burkard Personal Air Samplers. The data show a wide range of indoor exposures ranging from less than 100 colony forming units (CFU/m³) for viable fungi and 100 spores/m³ for total spores in Spokane and Santa Fe to concentrations over 6000 CFU/m³ for viable fungi and 15 000 spores/m³ for total fungi in Orlando and Kansas City, respectively. In the majority of sites the indoor airspora reflected the outdoor taxa withCladosporium the most abundant genus identified; however, several indoor locations had elevated levels ofPenicillium andAspergillus indicating possible sources of indoor contamination. Airborne basidiospores and smut spores were also fairly abundant in the schools and were among the top five taxa identified. The data also indicated that the airborne concentrations vary significantly during the day and between classrooms within each school. Continued studies in schools are needed to fully assess both the exposure levels and the clinical significance to atopic children allergic to these spores.     

Identification and seasonal distribution of airborne fungi in three horse stables in Italy

Fungal agents are responsible for a variety of respiratory diseases both in humans and animals. The nature and seasonal variations of fungi have been investigated in many environments with wide ranging results. The aims of the present report were (i) to evaluate the quality and magnitude of exposure to airborne fungi in three differently structured equine stalls (open air, partially and completely enclosed buildings) during a one-year period, using an air sampling technique and (ii) to compare the distribution and frequency of fungal species, with regards to these different environments. Air samples were collected monthly from December 2001 to November 2002 by means of a surface air sampler (SAS) Super-90, (PBI International, Milan, Italy). Penicillium and Aspergillus spp. were cultured from all the stables in all seasons. Mucoraceae were also recovered in all seasons in stalls 1 and 2, while they were not isolated in spring and fall in stall 3. These fungi were detected in 28.4%, 72.9% and 60.5% of the total number of samples, respectively. Other fungal genera such as Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Beauveria and Drechslera were also occasionally recovered.Viable fungal concentrations varied greatly, ranging from below the limit of detection to more than 3000 CFU/m³ for stables 1 and 2, and 1750 CFU/m³ for stable 3. The median fungal concentration was approximately 178 CFU/m³. Total fungal concentration appeared to be highest in summer, winter and spring, and lowest in the fall.     

The air spora of an orchid greenhouse

The orchid collection of the ELTE Botanical Garden, Budapest, Hungary was monitored for airborne fungi using viable and non-viable air-sampling methods (Hirst-type and a 3-stage Andersen sampler) with three different culture media. A new culture method was also applied to identify fungal spores from Hirst-type samples. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity, human- and phytopathological potential of the air spora. To find out sources of airborne fungi, samples were collected from the air in an adjacent greenhouse and outdoors, and from necrotic plants. A total of 58 genera were found in the air samples. Cladosporium and Penicillium spp. were common members of the airborne biota. A high proportion (27.5%) of identified genera may be presented as a member of microbial consortium associated with the orchids. Airborne fungi potentially pathogenic to humans were also detected. One species, Zygosporium masonii, was new to Hungary. Statistical analysis indicated that conditions of sampling had significant effects. The principal component analysis elucidated the three principal components representing 75.34% of the total variance; the clusters of variables were related to the three types of culture media. Relative abundance of small-sized spores was high, presumably because of the fungal species composition and accelerated sedimentation of large spores in still air. Apparently, in the studied orchid greenhouse, a specific mycobiota developed due to the climate and hosts (Orchideaceae) grown there.     

Diversity and annual fluctuations of culturable airborne fungi in Athens, Greece: a 4-year study

The diversity and the abundance of the culturable airborne fungi have been studied by a volumetric method in the city of Athens, for a period of 4 years. A total of 6,600 plates were exposed during 562 calendar days, and 70,583 colonies of fungi have been recovered and studied in detail. One hundred and forty-eight species in fifty-four genera of filamentous fungi were identified. A total of three hundred and twenty strains were isolated and maintained as reference material. The annual mean concentration of the total fungi was 538, 640, 694 and 638 CFU/m³, and the concentration range, 25–2,435, 117–2,822, 122–2,201 and 116–2,590 CFU/m³ for each year, respectively. There is no statistically significant year-to-year variation in the distribution patterns and in the annual mean concentrations of the total fungi. The diversity and the abundance of the total fungi and of the dominant genera Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Alternaria were increased, whereas those of Penicillium decreased during the warm months of each year. The majority of the species are newly reported as airborne from Greece. Also, 19 genera and 93 species are totally new records for this country. The species Acrodontium virellum, Aspergillus aculeatus, A. tubingensis, Circinella minor, C. umbellata, Cladosporium breviramosum, C. malorum, Drechslera tetramera, Paecilomyces crustaceus, Petriella guttulata, Rutola graminis and Sporotrichum pruinosum are reported as airborne for the first time worldwide.     

Fungal spores are an important component of library air

The airborne fungal spore types were studied in different libraries in Delhi, using an Andersen sampler and a Burkard personal sampler, for culturable and non-culturable fungi respectively. The concentration inside the libraries, before and after the agitation of books, were compared with outside air. The major contributors to the library air areCladosporium, aspergilli/penicillia, smuts andAlternaria, varying from 50 to 14%. Some fungi (Cladosporium, Alternaria, smut,Penicillium chrysogenum andnigricans) showed seasonal occurrence, corresponding to their occurrence in the extramural environment. Aspergilli/penicillia,Drechslera, Curvularia andAspergillus flavus had a significantly higher concentration (P<0.01) inside the library, and recorded a significant increase in concentration after agitation of books. Air-conditioned libraries have low fungal spore concentrations, as compared to naturally ventilated libraries.     

The effect of meteorological factors on the daily variation of airborne fungal spores in Granada (southern Spain)

A study was made of the link between climatic factors and the daily content of certain fungal spores in the atmosphere of the city of Granada in 1994. Sampling was carried out with a Burkard 7-day-recording spore trap. The spores analysed corresponded to the taxa Alternaria, Ustilago and Cladosporium, with two morphologically different spore types in the latter genus, cladosporioides and herbarum. These spores were selected both for their allergenic capacity and for the high level of their presence in the atmosphere, particularly during the spring and autumn. The spores of Cladosporium were the most abundant (93.82% of the total spores identified). The Spearman correlation coefficients between the spore concentrations studied and the meteorological parameters show different indices depending on the taxon being analysed. Alternaria and Cladosporium are significantly correlated with temperature and hours of sunlight, while Ustilago shows positive correlation indices with relative humidity and negative indices with wind speed. Received: 16 April 1998 / Revised: 27 September 1999 / Accepted: 27 October 1999     

Exposure to airborne microorganisms,hyphal fragments,and pollen in a field of organically grown strawberries

Many working environments are predisposed for larger than average amounts of fungi and other microorganisms often due to organic material being handled. From 2003 to 2007, the area used for strawberry production in Denmark increased by 62%. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of exposure to microorganisms, endotoxin, (1→3)-β-d-glucan (β-glucan), and pollen in a field of strawberries. The study was carried out in eastern Denmark from the middle of June to the beginning of August 2008. The strawberries were grown organically, and microbiological pest control agents (MPCAs) were applied during this and former growth seasons. In order to measure exposure to inhalable bioaerosol components, we used stationary filter samplers. Bioaerosol sampling was performed during 4 working days, and a total of 57 samplings were performed. The filters were analysed for contents of fungi, MPCAs, endotoxin, β-glucan, and pollen. The mean exposure was 6,154 CFU Cladosporium sp. m⁻³, 1.0 × 10⁵ fungal spores m⁻³, 4.1 × 10⁴ hyphal fragments m⁻³, 5.8 × 10³ pollen m⁻³, 57.3 ng β-glucan m⁻³, and 8.9 endotoxin units (EU) m⁻³. A significant and positive correlation was found between β-glucan and fungal spores and between CFU of Cladosporium sp. and CFU of fungi. We selected specifically for Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, and the applied MPCAs Trichoderma harzianum, T. polysporum, and Bacillus thuringiensis but found none of these species. In conclusion, our study shows that berry pickers in this organic strawberry field were potentially subjected to higher levels of fungal spores, Cladosporium sp., hyphal fragments, pollen, and thus also β-glucan than is usually seen in outdoor air. Exposure to MPCAs was not seen. The exposure to endotoxin was only slightly higher than e.g. in a town.     

Composition and variability of airborne fungi in an enclosed rabbit house in China

Sampling was conducted from June 2007 to May 2008 in an enclosed rabbit house to investigate composition and variability of airborne fungi. Samples were collected using an Andersen-6 sampler, with Sabouraud culture medium as sampling medium. The results showed that monthly mean concentration was 2.79–5.46 × 10³ colony forming unit/m³ air (CFU/m³ air), with the maximum level in October, and the minimum level in January. Within a day, the maximum level occurred at 09:00, followed by 17:00 and then 13:00. A total of 6,523 fungal colonies, belonging to 17 genera and 36 species, were obtained. The predominant genera included Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Altemaria, comprising 71.45% of the colony count. The obtained fungi of the year were mainly centralized in the stage D of the sampler (2.0–3.0 μm), accounting for 37.8% of the colonies. The minimum value occurred at stage F (<0.65 μm), accounting for 1.10% of the colonies.     

Main airborne Ascomycota spores: characterization by culture, spore morphology, ribosomal DNA sequences and enzymatic analysis

The aim of this work was to identify the main allergy-related Ascomycetes fungal spores present in the atmosphere of Porto, using different and complementary techniques. The atmospheric sampling, performed in the atmosphere of Porto (Portugal) from August 2006 to July 2008, indicated Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Alternaria as the main fungal spore taxa. Alternaria and Cladosporium peaks were registered during summer. Aspergillus and Penicillium highest values were registered from late winter to early spring. Additionally, the Andersen sampler allowed the culture and isolation of the collected viable spores subsequently used for different identification approaches. The internal-transcribed spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal repeat unit sequences of airborne Ascomycetes fungi isolates revealed 11 taxonomically related fungal species. Among the identified taxa, Penicillum and Aspergillus presented the highest diversity, while only one species of Cladosporium and Alternaria, respectively, were identified. All selected fungal spore taxa possessed phosphatase, esterase, leucine arylamidase and β-glucosidase enzymatic activity, while none had lipase, cystine arylamidase, trypsin or β-glucuronidase activity. The association between the spore cell wall morphology, DNA-based techniques and enzymatic activity approaches allowed a more reliable identification procedure of the airborne Ascomycota fungal spores.     

Airborne fungi associated with ornamental plant propagation in greenhouses

The objective was to determine potential exposure to airborne fungi in greenhouses and to characterize the temporal patterns of airborne fungi in relation to environmental conditions. We analyzed air samples collected in two greenhouses. Results showed that the top 5 fungi in greenhouse 1 were Trichoderma, hyphal fragments, Aspergillus/Penicillium-like, Cladosporium, and Botrytis in a descending order. Those in greenhouse 2 were Aspergillus/Penicillium-like, Cladosporium, Botrytis, yeast-like, and hyphal fragments. Maximum concentrations of Trichoderma and total spores in greenhouse 1 were 36,426 and 49,729 spores/m³, respectively. Maximum concentrations of Aspergillus/Penicillium and total spores in greenhouse 2 were 46,961 and 71,037 spores/m³, respectively. Airborne fungal populations fluctuated dramatically within 2 h during work hours, tenfold for Aspergillus/Penicillium, 66-fold for Trichoderma, and sevenfold for total spores. QPCR detected Trichoderma harzianum ranging from 7 to 3,500 conidia E/m³. Aspergillus/Penicillium and Botrytis showed diurnal patterns, but not Trichoderma. Aspergillus/Penicillium and Cladosporium were positively correlated with temperature, relative humidity, dew point, heat index, and light and negatively with air movement and air pressure. Botrytis and Trichoderma were not correlated with the environmental factors. Greenhouse workers were potentially exposed up to 71,037 spores/m³ of airborne fungi.     

The daily variations of airborne fungal spores in Mexico City

The daily and seasonal distribution of airborne fungal particles was recorded in a high altitude tropical zone. Sampling was carried out in the southern part of Mexico City. An Andersen air sampler was used over a period of six months. Ten minutes sampling for each set of plates was done at fixed schedule: 07:30, 14:00 and 19:00 hours. The sampler was placed 10 m above the ground. Daily variation was found to be associated with the season, weather and atmospheric stability. The highest value of mold counts (3195 CFU m⁻³) was recorded in the evening on October, a transitional month between the rainy and the dry seasons, the lowest (45 CFU m⁻³) at noon during the rainy season. Mold counts were significantly correlated with temperature, having negative signs both in the morning and at noon, and being positive in the evening. The abundance of only three genera was recorded.Cladosporium, was isolated more frequently, and its abundance at 14:00 h was of 38%;Alternaria represented 4.0%, at 14:00 h, andAspergillus 3.0% at 7:30 h. Fifteen species belonging to the latter genera were identified and most of them are considered as opportunistic molds of clinical significance.     

Deuteromycete aerobiology and skin-reactivity patterns - A two year concurrent study in Corpus Christi,Texas, USA

Baseline aerobiologic data of known and potentially allergenic deuteromycetes in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA, are presented concurrent with analyses of patient skin-reactivity (November 1987-October 1988 & November 1988-October 1989). Species representations of deuteromycete spores and their relative abundance were similar for two years. Three distinct groupings were discerned: Cladosporium (representing 80% of total spores) showed weekly averages predominantly in 1000-5000/m³ range; Alternaria (7.8%), Aspergillus/Penicillium (5.3%) and Torula (0.8%) at primarily 500-1000/m³ level; and Epicoccum (1.3%), Fusarium (1.3%), Nigrospora (1.3%), Stemphylium (0.6%), Drechslera (0.5%), Curvularia (0.2%), Pithomyces (0.1%) and other minor genera, mostly in 100-500/m³ range. Spore-bursts were recorded for all deuteromycetes with extreme spore-burst capture most prevalent among sporadic spores (e.g., Curvularia and Torula). Two-thirds of the 602 atopic persons were skintest positive to 1 or more of the 10 deuteromycete extracts. Alternaria, Cladosporium, Curvularia and Epicoccum elicited highest skin-reactivities (31.2% to 32.1%), despite wide disparity in spore concentration. Twenty-seven percent of patients were positive to Nigrospora and Stemphylium     

Airborne fungi in the hospitals of metropolitan Delhi

Summary The fungal airspora of a large hospital in Delhi Metropolis was studied from May 1989 – April 1991, using Andersen Six Stage Volumetric Sampler and Burkard Personal Slide Sampler. Simultaneously, samples were also collected from outside the hospital to act as a control. Samplers were operated for 10 min. each time, at 10 - day intervals. Additional samples were also collected from different sections of 3 other hospitals. Some of the dominant forms encountered wereCladosporium spp.,Aspergillus flavus, Smut,Fusarium spp.,Aspergillus niger, Alternaria spp.,Penicillium citrinum, Aspergillus versicolor, andPenicillium oxalicum. Aspergillus flavus showed significantly high concentration inside hospital (n=66, x=53 CFU m^–3, p<0.05) as compared to outside air. The peak period for fungi was observed to be from June – September. The spore concentration was much lower in hospital units receiving filtered air as compared to control environment, but in naturally ventilated hospitals the concentration was similar to that of outside air.     

Diversity and spatial–temporal distribution of airborne fungi at the world culture heritage site Maijishan Grottoes in China

The deposition of the airborne microorganisms onto cultural heritage is associated closely with the subsequent biodeterioration. In this study, a systematic investigation was carried out to detect the seasonal variation and diversity of airborne fungal concentration at the World Cultural Heritage Site Maijishan Grottoes in western China. A bio-aerosol sampler was deployed to collect samples over four seasons in 2016. The culturable airborne fungi were isolated, purified and then identified with the extraction of genomic DNA, PCR amplification of ITS rRNA region, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. The concentrations of culturable fungi ranged from 216 to 1389 CFU/m³, which varied seasonally with significant differences among the sampling sites. Fifteen different fungal genera were confirmed, among them, Cladosporium was the most predominant fungal genus, followed by Penicillium. The fungal community structure and their relationship with environmental factors were also delineated. The spatial–temporal differences of airborne fungi at Maijishan Grottoes were mainly due to height, rainfall, relative humidity, and temperature. The dominant genera Cladosporium and Penicillium may pose potential threats to the ancient painted sculptures and murals, and monitoring of the airborne fungi at such a heritage site could provide supporting data for the pre-warning and control of fungal outbreaks inside the caves for better management.

     

Airborne concentrations of bacteria and fungi in Thailand border market

Thailand border market is where the local Thais, Cambodians, Laotians, and Burmeses exchange their goods and culture at the border checkpoints. It is considered to be the source of aerial disease transmission especially for foreigners because it is always very crowded with people from all walks of life. Unhealthy air quality makes this area high risk of spread of airborne diseases. This study assessed airborne concentrations of bacteria and fungi in a border market to improve exposure estimates and develop efficient control strategies to reduce health risk. The density and distribution of airborne bacteria and fungi were investigated in the Chong Chom border market in Surin Province, Thailand. Eighteen air sampling sites were taken from outdoors and various work environments including indoor footpaths, wooden handicraft shops, electronic shops, the secondhand clothing shops, and fruit market areas. Exposed Petri plate method and liquid impinger sampler were used for sampling at the breathing zone, 1.5 m above the floor level, during weekend and holiday. Meteorological factors such as relative humidity, temperature, and light intensity were collected by portable data logger. The relative humidity was 67–73%, and temperature 29–33°C, and light varied between 18 and 270 Lux m⁻². Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were found at a mean value of 10⁴ CFU m⁻³, and airborne fungi of 10³ CFU m⁻³ were recorded. The highest concentration of culturable airborne microorganisms was found along the indoor footpath (9.62 × 10⁴ CFU m⁻³ and 750.00 CFU/plate/h for impingement and sedimentation methods, respectively), the fruit market area (7.86 × 10⁴ CFU m⁻³ and 592.42 CFU/plate/h for impingement and sedimentation methods, respectively), and the secondhand clothing shop (4.59 × 10³ CFU m⁻³ and 335.42 CFU/plate/h for impingement and sedimentation methods, respectively) for Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi, respectively. The lowest concentration of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi was found only at the outdoor area at 1.53 × 10⁴ CFU m⁻³, 0.93 × 10⁴ CFU m⁻³ and 0.80 × 10³ CFU m⁻³ by means of impingement method and 136.67 CFU/plate/h, 69.25 CFU/plate/h, and 62.00 CFU/plate/h by means of sedimentation methods for Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi, respectively. The most frequently present airborne bacteria were identified as Bacillus, Corynebacteria, Diplococcus, Micrococcus, Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Enterobacter, and spore former rods. Acremonium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Sporotrichum were the most frequently found aerosol fungi genera. The distribution of airborne microorganisms correlated with relative humidity and light factors based on principal component analysis. In conclusion, the border market is a potential source of aerial disease transmission and a various hazards of bioaerosols for workers, consumers, sellers, and tourists. The bioaerosol concentration exceeded the standard of occupational exposure limit. Many major indicators of allergenic and toxigenic airborne bacteria and fungi, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium, were found in the various market environments.     

Fertile fungal spores collected on different faced surfaces in the atmosphere of Giza,Egypt

A quantitative and qualitative survey was carried out for airborne fungus spores coming into contact with horizontally and vertically gravitation sampling oriented surfaces in the atmosphere of Giza city. Czapek Dox agar, malt extract agar, potato dextrose agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar Petri dishes were exposed monthly to the five oriented surfaces of a polystyrene cube, throughout a one-year period. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed between the total counts of caught airborne fungi contacting with the horizontal compared to other vertically oriented surfaces. Conversely, there were no significant differences observed between the total catch of airborne fungi using the various sampling media. The results revealed that vertical sampling provides valuable information that may be lost from horizontal sampling alone. A total of 5,053 colonies belonging to 40 fungal organisms were identified. Alternaria (24.26%), Aspergillus (19.2%), Cladosporium (14.5%) and Penicillium (11.43%) were the most predominant fungal genera. Collected fungi were grouped into high, medium, low and rare components depending upon their frequency in the studied atmosphere. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus parasiticus, Alternaria, Cladosporium and Penicillium were regularly found on all oriented surfaces. However, Arthrobotrys, Biospora, Chaetomium, Pleospora, Trichothecium and Verticillium were rarely found in the air. Positive and/or negative correlations were observed between the total fungal counts and the predominant fungal types with meteorological parameters during sampling days.     

First volumetric record of fungal spores in the atmosphere of Montevideo City,Uruguay: a 2-year survey

In Uruguay, aeromycological studies are restricted to a gravimetric analysis performed from December 1942 to March 1944 in Montevideo where spores of Pucciniaceae, Alternaria and Helminthosporium were the only specimens identified. Daily monitoring of airborne fungal spores was carried out for the first time in Montevideo, from April 2012 to March 2014, using a Rotorod sampler in order to evaluate the seasonal variation and influence of meteorological parameters. A total of 548,309.68 spores/m³ were recorded which belong to anamorphs of Higher Fungi (69.18 %), Phyla Ascomycota (12.62 %), Basidiomycota (8.01 %), Oomycota (0.37 %) and Myxomycota (0.06 %). Airborne spores occurred in Montevideo throughout the whole year. However, a seasonal pattern was revealed, with the highest concentrations recorded in autumn and summer. The most abundant spore types were Cladosporium (53.22 %), Alternaria (6.62 %), Didymella Group (5.86 %), Leptosphaeria Group (4.37 %) and Coprinus (4.3 %). Temperature appeared to be the most influential meteorological factor correlating significantly and positively with total spore, Cladosporium, Alternaria and Didymella Group abundance. Relative humidity influenced positively total spore, Cladosporium and Didymella Group concentrations while a weak negative association was obtained for Alternaria. Wind speed correlated negatively with total spore, Cladosporium, Alternaria and Didymella Group. Precipitation showed a negative influence on Alternaria, while positive correlations were observed for Didymella Group. For the first time, fungal spores considered allergenic were recorded in Montevideo atmosphere and the risk of exposure would have been high from December to June. However, long-term sampling is needed to define seasonal prevalence patterns and the influence of meteorological conditions on spore abundance.