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Collection and Extraction of Occupational Air Samples for Analysis of Fungal DNA
Published on: May 2, 2018
Evaluation of phenotypes and genotypes of airborne Fungi during middle eastern dust storms
Mohammad Yarahmadi1, Seyed Jamal Hashemi1, Asghar Sepahvand2
11Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Microbial species such as bacteria and fungi can be transported by dust storms over long distances, and may change the mycobiota in downwind. This study aimed to evaluate phenotypes and genotypes of airborne fungi during the Middle Eastern dust (MED) events and normal days in Khorramabad, Iran. The samples were collected regularly every six days at three locations during April 2018-March 2019, with additional samplings during MED days. For phenotypic analyses, the Petri dishes were incubated at 25 °C for 72-120 h. Molecular identification of fungi was carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The average (±SD) of total fungal concentration was 460.9 (±493.2) CFU/m3. The fungi with the highest average concentrations included Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium brevicompactum, and Cladosporium iridis, respectively. The average concentration of fungi during dust days (967.65 CFU/m3) was 3.6 times higher than those in normal days (267.10 CFU/m3). During normal and dust days, 61 and 45 species were detected, respectively. Aspergillus and Cladosporium spp. were relatively more dominant during normal and dust days, respectively. Eight fungal species were only observed during MED days, including Talaromyces albobiverticillius that was detected for the first time in Iran. Despite air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were associated to the fungal concentrations. Dust events lead to the changes in the air pollutants composition and mycobiota, identification of new fungi, and elevated fungal concentrations that may extremely affect the public health.
Insights
Middle Eastern dust (MED) events significantly increase airborne fungal concentrations and alter species composition, introducing new fungi. These dust storms impact public health by changing air mycobiota.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Aerobiology
- Mycology
Background:
- Microbial species, including fungi, are transported globally by dust storms.
- Long-distance dispersal of fungi can alter downwind mycobiota composition.
- Understanding airborne fungal dynamics during dust events is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the phenotypes and genotypes of airborne fungi during Middle Eastern dust (MED) events.
- To compare fungal concentrations and species diversity between MED days and normal days in Khorramabad, Iran.
- To identify fungal species uniquely present during MED events.
Main Methods:
- Airborne fungal samples collected bi-weekly and during MED events from April 2018 to March 2019.
- Phenotypic analysis via incubation on Petri dishes at 25°C for 72-120 hours.
- Molecular identification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Main Results:
- Average total fungal concentration was 460.9 CFU/m³; concentrations were 3.6 times higher during MED days (967.65 CFU/m³) than normal days (267.10 CFU/m³).
- Dominant fungi included *Cladosporium cladosporioides*, *Penicillium brevicompactum*, and *Cladosporium iridis*.
- Fungal diversity decreased during MED days (45 species) compared to normal days (61 species), with *Aspergillus* and *Cladosporium* spp. showing differential dominance.
Conclusions:
- MED events significantly increase airborne fungal loads and alter species composition, with *Cladosporium* spp. becoming more dominant.
- Eight fungal species, including *Talaromyces albobiverticillius* (newly reported in Iran), were exclusively detected during MED days.
- Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, wind speed) influenced fungal concentrations, highlighting the public health implications of dust-driven mycobiota changes.
