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[Anemophilous fungi: viability and allergenicity]
A H Gómez Echevarría1, L A Alfonso Fernández, M J Valderrama Puente
1Servicio de Alergología, Facultad núm 1 de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana.
Abstract:
Three strains of anemophilous fungi (Alternaria, Rhizopus and Monilia) from different genera were studied. We found that the liquid Sabouraud and culture media used in this study lost nutrients after seven days of strain growth, without affecting their viability. This was proven when the fungi were reseeded at 15 and 60 days. Extracts from supposedly sensible patients were developed using intradermoreaction skin tests, finding no significant differences among the results obtained from these tests. We recommended further studies with more prolonged growth periods (90, 120, 180 or more days) to see whether this incides on the viability and allergenicity of the anemophilous fungi.
Insights
Nutrient depletion in culture media after seven days did not affect the viability or allergenicity of anemophilous fungi (Alternaria, Rhizopus, Monilia). Further studies are recommended for longer growth periods.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Environmental Microbiology
Background:
- Anemophilous fungi, transmitted by wind, are significant sources of allergens.
- Understanding the viability and allergenicity of fungi over time is crucial for clinical and environmental assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of nutrient depletion in culture media on the viability and allergenicity of three anemophilous fungi strains.
- To assess the reliability of intradermoreaction skin tests for evaluating fungal allergenicity after extended growth periods.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of Alternaria, Rhizopus, and Monilia strains in liquid Sabouraud and culture media.
- Monitoring nutrient levels and fungal viability at intervals up to 60 days.
- Preparation of extracts and performance of intradermoreaction skin tests on supposedly sensitive patients.
Main Results:
- Culture media showed significant nutrient loss after seven days of fungal growth.
- Fungal viability remained unaffected despite nutrient depletion, even after 60 days.
- Intradermoreaction skin tests yielded no significant differences in results across various growth periods.
Conclusions:
- Nutrient depletion in standard culture media within seven days does not compromise the viability or allergenicity of studied anemophilous fungi.
- Extended fungal growth periods (up to 60 days) did not alter allergenicity as assessed by skin tests.
- Further research with longer incubation times (90-180+ days) is warranted to fully elucidate long-term effects on fungal viability and allergenicity.