Aspergillus Spp. as an important occupational risk factor among susceptible individuals

The prevalence of different species of aspergilli was studied for two consecutive years (from April 1989 to March 1991) in a mechanised bakery, a poultry farm and a large municipal hospital in Delhi, India using an Andersen six stage volumetric sampler. A rich diversity of aspergilli (26 species) were recorded in each environment. The major contributors in each environment were Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. versicolor, A. sydowi, A. fumigatus, A. japonicus. The concentration of aspergilli was higher inside the work place compared to the outside air, with 25% to 45% contribution to the total fungal load. The concentration of A. flavus was higher in the storage section of the bakery and in the shed of the poultry farm, while A. niger was characteristic of the packing section and the hatchery. The hospital, which was naturally ventilated with a continuous mixing of indoor and outdoor air had a significantly high concentration of A. flavus (p < 0.05) inside the ward. Some of the frequently encountered species of Aspergillus are A. janus, A. ochraceous, A. nidulans, A. variecolor, A. luchuensis and A. terreus. Other species of Aspergillus had a very low occurrence, accounting for less than 1% of the total fungal load.