1
|
Loukou E, Jensen NF, Rohde L, Andersen B. Damp Buildings: Associated Fungi and How to Find Them. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:108. [PMID: 38392780 PMCID: PMC10890273 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The number of buildings experiencing humidity problems and fungal growth appears to be increasing as energy-saving measures and changes in construction practices and climate become more common. Determining the cause of the problem and documenting the type and extent of fungal growth are complex processes involving both building physics and indoor mycology. New detection and identification methods have been introduced, and new fungal species have been added to the list of building-related fungi. However, the lack of standardised procedures and general knowledge hampers the effort to resolve the problems and advocate for an effective renovation plan. This review provides a framework for building inspections on current sampling methods and detection techniques for building-related fungi. The review also contains tables with fungal species that have been identified on commonly used building materials in Europe and North America (e.g., gypsum wallboard, oriented strand board (OSB), concrete and mineral wool). The most reported building-associated fungi across all materials are Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus versicolor. Chaetomium globosum is common on all organic materials, whereas Aspergillus niger is common on all inorganic materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Loukou
- Division of Building Technology, Management and Indoor Environment, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, DK-2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nickolaj Feldt Jensen
- Division of Building Technology, Management and Indoor Environment, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, DK-2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lasse Rohde
- Division of Energy and Sustainability in Buildings, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Andersen
- Division of Building Technology, Management and Indoor Environment, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, DK-2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rufino de Sousa N, Shen L, Silcott D, Call CJ, Rothfuchs AG. Operative and Technical Modifications to the Coriolis® µ Air Sampler That Improve Sample Recovery and Biosafety During Microbiological Air Sampling. Ann Work Expo Health 2020; 64:852-865. [PMID: 32469054 PMCID: PMC7544001 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Detecting infectious aerosols is central for gauging and countering airborne threats. In this regard, the Coriolis® µ cyclonic air sampler is a practical, commercial collector that can be used with various analysis methods to monitor pathogens in air. However, information on how to operate this unit under optimal sampling and biosafety conditions is limited. We investigated Coriolis performance in aerosol dispersal experiments with polystyrene microspheres and Bacillus globigii spores. We report inconsistent sample recovery from the collector cone due to loss of material when sampling continuously for more than 30 min. Introducing a new collector cone every 10 min improved this shortcoming. Moreover, we found that several surfaces on the device become contaminated during sampling. Adapting a high efficiency particulate air-filter system to the Coriolis prevented contamination without altering collection efficiency or tactical deployment. A Coriolis modified with these operative and technical improvements was used to collect aerosols carrying microspheres released inside a Biosafety Level-3 laboratory during simulations of microbiological spills and aerosol dispersals. In summary, we provide operative and technical solutions to the Coriolis that optimize microbiological air sampling and improve biosafety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Rufino de Sousa
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lei Shen
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Antonio Gigliotti Rothfuchs
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tseng CC, Lu YC, Chang KC, Hung CC. Optimization of a Portable Adenosine Triphosphate Bioluminescence Assay Coupled with a Receiver Operating Characteristic Model to Assess Bioaerosol Concentrations on Site. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8070975. [PMID: 32610699 PMCID: PMC7409044 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8070975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid monitoring of the microbial content in indoor air is an important issue. In this study, we develop a method for applying a Coriolis sampler coupled with a portable ATP luminometer for characterization of the collection efficiency of bioaerosol samplers and then test this approach in field applications. The biological collection efficiencies of the Coriolis sampler and a BioSampler for collecting four different types of bioaerosols, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida famata and endospores of Bacillus subtilis, were compared in a chamber study. The results showed that the ATP assay may indicate the four microbes' viability, and that their defined viabilities were positively correlated with their culturability. In addition, the optimal sampling conditions of the Coriolis sampler were a 200 L/min flow rate and a sampling time of 30 min. Under these conditions, there was no significant difference in sampling performance between the BioSampler and Coriolis sampler. In field applications, the best ATP benchmark that corresponded to culturable levels of < 500 CFU/m3 was 287 RLUs (sensitivity: 100%; specificity: 80%) for bacteria and 370 RLUs (sensitivity: 79%; specificity: 82%) for fungi according to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Consequently, an ATP criterion is recommended for indicating whether the corresponding airborne culturable concentrations of microbes meet those of published guidelines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Chieh Tseng
- Department and Graduate Institute of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (Y.-C.L.); (C.-C.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +886-3-8574179
| | - Yi-Chian Lu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (Y.-C.L.); (C.-C.H.)
| | - Kai-Chih Chang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan;
| | - Chien-Che Hung
- Department and Graduate Institute of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (Y.-C.L.); (C.-C.H.)
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chang CW, Ting YT, Horng YJ. Collection efficiency of liquid-based samplers for fungi in indoor air. INDOOR AIR 2019; 29:380-389. [PMID: 30614570 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This study assessed the collection efficiency (CE) of two popularly used sampling devices (BioSampler and Coriolis sampler) for fungal aerosols. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) supplemented with or without surfactant (Tween-20, Tween-80, or Triton X-100) and antifoam agent was prepared and used as collection liquids. The agar impactor (BioStage) was simultaneously operated with liquid-based samplers to collect fungi from seven sites located at a university building, public library, and animal farming. Fungal concentrations determined by liquid samplers were divided by those by BioStage, and the ratio values represented CE. Results indicate that the CE of BioSampler was superior to that of Coriolis (P = 0.0001) and the PBS containing surfactant collected fungi better than that without surfactant (P < 0.0001), whereas antifoam agent showed no influence (P = 0.8). Moreover, fungal concentrations determined by BioSampler with surfactant-added PBS were statistically indifferent from those by BioStage (P > 0.05) with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.81-0.83 (P < 0.01). In addition to sampler and collection liquid, sampling location was also identified as a significant CE factor (P = 0.006), implying potential influences by fungal genera in the studied fields. Overall, BioSampler with surfactant-supplemented PBS (eg, Triton X-100) is recommended considering the great CE and compatibility with a variety of analytical assays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Wen Chang
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Center for Research on Environmental and Occupational Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Research Center for Genes, Environmental and Human Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yun-Tzu Ting
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yu-Ju Horng
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mbareche H, Veillette M, Teertstra W, Kegel W, Bilodeau GJ, Wösten HAB, Duchaine C. Recovery of Fungal Cells from Air Samples: a Tale of Loss and Gain. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:e02941-18. [PMID: 30824432 PMCID: PMC6495771 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02941-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
There are limitations in establishing a direct link between fungal exposure and health effects due to the methodology used, among other reasons. Culture methods ignore the nonviable/uncultivable fraction of airborne fungi. Molecular methods allow for a better understanding of the environmental health impacts of microbial communities. However, there are challenges when applying these techniques to bioaerosols, particularly to fungal cells. This study reveals that there is a loss of fungal cells when samples are recovered from air using wet samplers and aimed to create and test an improved protocol for concentrating mold spores via filtration prior to DNA extraction. Results obtained using the new technique showed that up to 3 orders of magnitude more fungal DNA was retrieved from the samples using quantitative PCR. A sequencing approach with MiSeq revealed a different diversity profile depending on the methodology used. Specifically, 8 fungal families out of 19 families tested were highlighted to be differentially abundant in centrifuged and filtered samples. An experiment using laboratory settings showed the same spore loss during centrifugation for Aspergillus niger and Penicillium roquefortii strains. We believe that this work helped identify and address fungal cell loss during processing of air samples, including centrifugation steps, and propose an alternative method for a more accurate evaluation of fungal exposure and diversity.IMPORTANCE This work shed light on a significant issue regarding the loss of fungal spores when recovered from air samples using liquid medium and centrifugation to concentrate air particles before DNA extraction. We provide proof that the loss affects the overall fungal diversity of aerosols and that some taxa are differentially more affected than others. Furthermore, a laboratory experiment confirmed the environmental results obtained during field sampling. The filtration protocol described in this work offers a better description of the fungal diversity of aerosols and should be used in fungal aerosol studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Mbareche
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marc Veillette
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Wieke Teertstra
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Kegel
- Department of Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Guillaume J Bilodeau
- Pathogen Identification Research Laboratory, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Ottawa, Canada
| | - Han A B Wösten
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline Duchaine
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Loeffert ST, Vanhems P, Tissot E, Dananché C, Cassier P, Bénet T, Perraud M, Thibaudon M, Gustin MP. Evaluation of Hirst-type spore traps in outdoor Aspergillaceae monitoring during large demolition work in hospital. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191135. [PMID: 29346411 PMCID: PMC5773167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Demolition can generate fungal spore suspensions in association with various adverse health effects, such as high risk of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. One block of Edouard Herriot Hospital was entirely demolished. The aim of the present study was to evaluate Hirst-type spore traps utility in monitoring outdoor Aspergillaceae (Aspergillus spp. + Penicillium spp.) spores in part of Edouard Herriot Hospital (Lyon, France) undergoing major demolition. Three periods were scheduled in 2015: (A) Gutting of building and asbestos removal, (B) Demolition of floors, (C) Excavation and earthwork. Outdoor Aspergillaceae fungal load was monitored by cultivable (Air Ideal®, bioMérieux) and non-cultivable methods (Lanzoni VPPS-2000, Analyzair®, Bologna, Italy). Differences of Aspergillaceae recorded with Hirst-type spore traps were observed between Gerland and Edouard Herriot Hospital. Differences between Aspergillaceae were recorded between day time and night time at Gerland and Edouard Herriot Hospital. Daily paired differences between Aspergillaceae recorded with non-cultivable methodology at Edouard Herriot Hospital and in an area without demolition work were significant in Period A vs Period B (p = 10–4) and Period A vs Period C (p = 10–4). Weak correlation of daily Aspergillaceae recorded by both methods at Edouard Herriot Hospital was significant only for Period C (r = 0.26, p = 0.048, n = 58). Meteorological parameters and type of demolition works were found to heavily influenced Aspergillaceae dispersion. Non-cultivable methodology is a promising tool for outdoor Aspergillaceae scrutiny during major demolition work in hospital, helping infection control staff to rapidly implement control measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Tiphaine Loeffert
- Laboratoire des Pathogènes Emergents-Fondation Mérieux, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Inserm U1111, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, France, Université de Lyon 1, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Philippe Vanhems
- Laboratoire des Pathogènes Emergents-Fondation Mérieux, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Inserm U1111, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, France, Université de Lyon 1, France
- Unité d'hygiène, épidémiologie et prévention, Groupement hospitalier Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France
| | | | - Cédric Dananché
- Laboratoire des Pathogènes Emergents-Fondation Mérieux, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Inserm U1111, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, France, Université de Lyon 1, France
- Unité d'hygiène, épidémiologie et prévention, Groupement hospitalier Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France
| | - Pierre Cassier
- Laboratoire de Biologie Sécurité Environnement, Groupement hospitalier Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France
| | - Thomas Bénet
- Unité d'hygiène, épidémiologie et prévention, Groupement hospitalier Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France
| | - Michel Perraud
- Laboratoire de Biologie Sécurité Environnement, Groupement hospitalier Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France
| | - Michel Thibaudon
- Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique, Brussieu, France
| | - Marie-Paule Gustin
- Laboratoire des Pathogènes Emergents-Fondation Mérieux, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Inserm U1111, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, France, Université de Lyon 1, France
- Département de santé publique, Institut des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques (ISPB)-Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Lyon 1, France
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Schweer KE, Jakob B, Liss B, Christ H, Fischer G, Vehreschild MJGT, Cornely OA, Vehreschild JJ. Domestic mould exposure and invasive aspergillosis—air sampling ofAspergillusspp. spores in homes of hematological patients, a pilot study. Med Mycol 2016; 54:576-83. [DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myw007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
8
|
Méheust D, Le Cann P, Reboux G, Millon L, Gangneux JP. Indoor fungal contamination: health risks and measurement methods in hospitals, homes and workplaces. Crit Rev Microbiol 2013; 40:248-60. [PMID: 23586944 DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2013.777687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Indoor fungal contamination has been associated with a wide range of adverse health effects, including infectious diseases, toxic effects and allergies. The diversity of fungi contributes to the complex role that they play in indoor environments and human diseases. Molds have a major impact on public health, and can cause different consequences in hospitals, homes and workplaces. This review presents the methods used to assess fungal contamination in these various environments, and discusses advantages and disadvantages for each method in consideration with different health risks. Air, dust and surface sampling strategies are compared, as well as the limits of various methods are used to detect and quantify fungal particles and fungal compounds. In addition to conventional microscopic and culture approaches, more recent chemical, immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods are described. This article also identifies common needs for future multidisciplinary research and development projects in this field, with specific interests on viable fungi and fungal fragment detections. The determination of fungal load and the detection of species in environmental samples greatly depend on the strategy of sampling and analysis. Quantitative PCR was found useful to identify associations between specific fungi and common diseases. The next-generation sequencing methods may afford new perspectives in this area.
Collapse
|
9
|
Méheust D, Le Cann P, Gangneux JP. Rapid quantification of viable fungi in hospital environments: analysis of air and surface samples using solid-phase cytometry. J Hosp Infect 2013; 83:122-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
10
|
Méheust D, Le Cann P, Reponen T, Wakefield J, Vesper S, Gangneux JP. Possible application of the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index in France: a pilot study in Brittany. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2012; 216:333-40. [PMID: 22841908 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2012.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2012] [Revised: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/30/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Our goal was to determine if the US Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) scale might have application in France. Twenty homes in Brittany, north western region of France were classified by inspection as "Moldy" or "Non-Moldy". Dust and air samples were collected (MiTest sampler or Coriolis sampler, respectively) from each home and analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) for the 36 fungi that make-up the ERMI. Inspection and ERMI values provided a consistent assessment for 90% of the homes. Two homes originally classified as "Non-Moldy" were found to fit better into the "Moldy" category based on the QPCR analysis and the ERMI. Dust and air samples analyzed by QPCR provided similar fungal contamination assessments. In conclusion, a metric like the ERMI describes mold burdens in homes on a continuum, as opposed to the frequently used dichotomous approach (moldy vs. non-moldy). Although a larger, random national sampling of French homes is needed, these results suggest that these same 36 fungi may be useful in creating an ERMI for France.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Méheust
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1085, Institut de Recherche Santé, Environnement & Travail (IRSET), F-35043 Rennes, France
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|