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Fungal burden exposure assessment in podiatry clinics from Ireland

Carla Viegas1,2, Ann Marie Coggins3, Tiago Faria1,4

  • 1a GIAS, ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa , Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa , Lisbon , Portugal.

International Journal of Environmental Health Research
|March 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Fungal bioaerosols in podiatry clinics were assessed using culture and molecular methods. While fungal DNA was rarely detected, airborne fungi levels frequently exceeded safe thresholds, indicating potential exposure risks.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Healthcare-associated infections
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Fungi are significant bioaerosols, with increasing research interest.
  • Assessing fungal burden in healthcare settings is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize fungal exposure in podiatry clinics.
  • To compare culture-based and molecular detection methods for airborne fungi.

Main Methods:

  • Airborne fungi collected via impaction air sampler; surface samples also taken.
  • Real-time PCR used for molecular detection of specific fungal DNA (Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, Trichophyton rubrum).
  • Culture-based methods quantified viable fungal colonies (CFU/m³).

Main Results:

  • Over 60% of evening and 46% of morning air samples exceeded the 150 CFU/m³ threshold.
  • Molecular detection for Aspergillus and Stachybotrys species was negative in all samples.
  • Trichophyton rubrum DNA was detected in one sample.

Conclusions:

  • Culture-based methods indicated frequent high fungal bioaerosol levels in podiatry clinics.
  • Molecular methods showed limited detection of target fungi, suggesting low viability or specific species presence.
  • Combined culture and molecular approaches are recommended for comprehensive fungal risk assessment in healthcare environments.
Keywords:
Fungal burdenculture based-methodsdermatophyteexposure assessmentmolecular methodology

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