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Efficient Method for Imaging Murine Lungs that Preserves Spatial Dynamics of Fungal Spores in the Airways
Published on: December 13, 2024
Atmospheric transport of mold spores in clouds of desert dust
Eugene A Shinn1, Dale W Griffin, Douglas B Seba
1U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA. eshinn@usgs.gov
Abstract:
Fungal spores can be transported globally in clouds of desert dust. Many species of fungi (commonly known as molds) and bacteria--including some that are human pathogens--have characteristics suited to long-range atmospheric transport. Dust from the African desert can affect air quality in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Asian desert dust can affect air quality in Asia, the Arctic, North America, and Europe. Atmospheric exposure to mold-carrying desert dust may affect human health directly through allergic induction of respiratory stress. In addition, mold spores within these dust clouds may seed downwind ecosystems in both outdoor and indoor environments.
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