Michel Almaguer-Chávez1, María Jesús Aira2, Teresa-Irene Rojas3, María Fernández-González4, Francisco-Javier Rodríguez-Rajo5. 1. Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Biology, University of Habana, La Habana 10400, Cuba. michelalm@fbio.uh.cu. 2. Department of Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain. mariajesus.aira@usc.es. 3. Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Biology, University of Habana, La Habana 10400, Cuba. trojas@fbio.ub.cu. 4. Department of Plant Biology and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain. mfgonzalez@uvigo.es. 5. Department of Plant Biology and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain. javirajo@uvigo.es.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Although airborne fungal diversity in tropical countries is known to be considerable, aerobiological research to-date has identified only a part of the fungal mycobiota that may have an impact both on human health and on crops. Previous studies in Havana city identified only 30 genera and 5 spore types; therefore,new research is required in these latitudes. This study sought to investigate airborne spore levels in Havana, with a view to learning more about local fungal diversity and assessing its influence in quantitative terms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Hirst type volumetric sampler was located on the rooftop of a building 35 meters above ground level, in a busy area of the city. Sampling was carried out continuously (operating 24hours/day), at 10 L per minute during the year 2015. The fungal spores were collected on a Melinex tape coated with a 2% silicone solution. The results were expressed as spores per cubic meter (spores/m<sup>3</sup>) of air when to referring to daily values, and spores count if referring to annual value. RESULTS: Fourteen new genera were identified in the course of volumetric sampling: six produce ascospores and eight conidia. Morphobiometric characteristics were noted for all genera, and airborne concentrations were calculated. These genera accounted for 56.4% of relative fungal frequency over the study year. CONCLUSIONS: Many airbone fungi are primary causes of both respiratory disease and crop damage. These new findings constitute a major contribution to Cuba's aerobiological database.
INTRODUCTION: Although airborne fungal diversity in tropical countries is known to be considerable, aerobiological research to-date has identified only a part of the fungal mycobiota that may have an impact both on human health and on crops. Previous studies in Havana city identified only 30 genera and 5 spore types; therefore,new research is required in these latitudes. This study sought to investigate airborne spore levels in Havana, with a view to learning more about local fungal diversity and assessing its influence in quantitative terms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Hirst type volumetric sampler was located on the rooftop of a building 35 meters above ground level, in a busy area of the city. Sampling was carried out continuously (operating 24hours/day), at 10 L per minute during the year 2015. The fungal spores were collected on a Melinex tape coated with a 2% silicone solution. The results were expressed as spores per cubic meter (spores/m<sup>3</sup>) of air when to referring to daily values, and spores count if referring to annual value. RESULTS: Fourteen new genera were identified in the course of volumetric sampling: six produce ascospores and eight conidia. Morphobiometric characteristics were noted for all genera, and airborne concentrations were calculated. These genera accounted for 56.4% of relative fungal frequency over the study year. CONCLUSIONS: Many airbone fungi are primary causes of both respiratory disease and crop damage. These new findings constitute a major contribution to Cuba's aerobiological database.
Authors: Mehmet Kilic; Mustafa Kemal Altunoglu; Gül Esma Akdogan; Salih Akpınar; Erdal Taskın; Ahmet Hamdi Erkal Journal: J Environ Health Sci Eng Date: 2020-10-01