Submicronic Fungal Bioaerosols: High-resolution Microscopic Characterization and Quantification

Overview

Journal Appl Environ Microbiol

Specialties Environmental Health
Microbiology

Date 2014 Sep 14

PMID 25217010

Citations 11

Authors

Komlavi Anani Afanou

Anne Straumfors

Asbjorn Skogstad

Terje Nilsen

Ole Synnes

Ida Skaar

Linda Hjeljord

Arne Tronsmo

Brett James Green

Wijnand Eduard

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Submicronic particles released from fungal cultures have been suggested to be additional sources of personal exposure in mold-contaminated buildings. In vitro generation of these particles has been studied with particle counters, eventually supplemented by autofluorescence, that recognize fragments by size and discriminate biotic from abiotic particles. However, the fungal origin of submicronic particles remains unclear. In this study, submicronic fungal particles derived from Aspergillus fumigatus, A. versicolor, and Penicillium chrysogenum cultures grown on agar and gypsum board were aerosolized and enumerated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). A novel bioaerosol generator and a fungal spores source strength tester were compared at 12 and 20 liters min(-1) airflow. The overall median numbers of aerosolized submicronic particles were 2 × 10(5) cm(-2), 2.6 × 10(3) cm(-2), and 0.9 × 10(3) cm(-2) for A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, and P. chrysogenum, respectively. A. fumigatus released significantly (P < 0.001) more particles than A. versicolor and P. chrysogenum. The ratios of submicronic fragments to larger particles, regardless of media type, were 1:3, 5:1, and 1:2 for A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, and P. chrysogenum, respectively. Spore fragments identified by the presence of rodlets amounted to 13%, 2%, and 0% of the submicronic particles released from A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, and P. chrysogenum, respectively. Submicronic particles with and without rodlets were also aerosolized from cultures grown on cellophane-covered media, indirectly confirming their fungal origin. Both hyphae and conidia could fragment into submicronic particles and aerosolize in vitro. These findings further highlight the potential contribution of fungal fragments to personal fungal exposure.

Citing Articles

Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses Induced by Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia and Hyphae.

Luo Y, Liu F, Deng L, Xu J, Kong Q, Shi Y Curr Microbiol. 2022; 80(1):28.

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Bioaerosol Exposure and Activation of Toll-like Receptors in a Norwegian Waste Sorting Plant.

Eriksen E, Graff P, Pedersen I, Straumfors A, Afanou A Saf Health Work. 2022; 13(1):9-16.

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