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Susceptibility pattern among pathogenic species of Aspergillus to physical and chemical treatments
Ricardo Araujo1, Acacio Gonçalves Rodrigues, Cidalia Pina-Vaz
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof Hernani Monteiro, Porto, Portugal. ricjparaujo@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Physical treatments, like heating or irradiation, may reduce the viability or eradicate Aspergillus conidia, which in turn might help to prevent infections by members of this genus. Chemical treatments can also prevent infection resulting from contaminated hospital fabrics or surfaces. Our objectives were to study the kinetics of survival of the conidia of pathogenic Aspergillus species, like A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger, during exposure to heating at 60 degrees C and microwave irradiation. In addition, we evaluated the susceptibility patterns of Aspergillus conidia to such chemical agents as cupric sulphate and sodium hypochlorite. Heating the conidia of A. flavus and A. niger at 60 degrees C for 45 min was found to be fungicidal (reduction > 104 conidia/ml), but was not with A. fumigatus conidia. Short periods of microwave irradiation (40 s) resulted in a significant reduction of the viability of the conidia of these three Aspergillus species as a result of lethal membrane lesions. All Aspergillus species were similarly susceptible to cupric sulphate and sodium hypochlorite. Therefore, heating, microwave and the chemical treatments tested impaired significantly the viability of Aspergillus conidia, supporting the use of these methods as preventive measures among patients at risk.
Insights
Physical treatments like heating and microwave irradiation, along with chemical agents, effectively reduce Aspergillus conidia viability. These methods show promise for preventing Aspergillus infections in at-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Aspergillus species are opportunistic pathogens causing infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- Contaminated hospital environments pose a risk for Aspergillus transmission.
- Effective disinfection methods are crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of physical (heating, microwave irradiation) and chemical treatments against pathogenic Aspergillus conidia.
- To determine the survival kinetics of Aspergillus conidia under different treatment conditions.
- To evaluate the susceptibility of key Aspergillus species to selected disinfectants.
Main Methods:
- Kinetics of Aspergillus conidia (A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger) survival during heating at 60°C and microwave irradiation.
- Assessment of conidial susceptibility to cupric sulphate and sodium hypochlorite.
- Microscopic evaluation of conidial membrane integrity post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Heating at 60°C for 45 min was fungicidal for A. flavus and A. niger but not A. fumigatus.
- Microwave irradiation (40 s) significantly reduced viability of all tested Aspergillus species via membrane damage.
- All Aspergillus species exhibited similar susceptibility to cupric sulphate and sodium hypochlorite.
Conclusions:
- Heating, microwave irradiation, and chemical treatments significantly impair Aspergillus conidia viability.
- These physical and chemical methods are potential preventive strategies against Aspergillus infections.
- Targeted disinfection protocols can mitigate risks associated with Aspergillus contamination in healthcare settings.
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