Occurrence of potentially emerging pathogenic yeasts from a deactivated dumpsite

Although many dumpsites worldwide have been terminated in recent decades, their produced leachate may still pose environmental and public health risks. Conditions at these sites can also favor the survival and dissemination of emerging and resistant fungi, highlighting the need for continuous environmental monitoring efforts. This study aimed to detect and identify the fungal diversity of surface and groundwater samples from a dumpsite deactivated for over a decade in southeastern Brazil, also assessing the influence of metals and physicochemical parameters. Quarterly samplings were performed from 2021 to 2023 at three ponds (surface water) and five wells (groundwater). Physicochemical parameters (pH, TOC, COD, TDS, and Cl^-) were determined through standard methods, and metals (Ca, K, Mg, and Na) were quantified employing inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Fifteen colony-forming units were isolated, including the pathogenic fungi Candida parapsilosis from two groundwater sampling points and Rhodotorula glutinis from one surface water sampling point. Fungal occurrence was discussed in relation to pH, COD, TDS, and Ca, which may reflect surrounding surface and groundwater leachate effects, with the presence of pathogenic fungal species also representing potential risk to public health.