The Amsterdam Declaration on Fungal Nomenclature

The Amsterdam Declaration on Fungal Nomenclature was agreed at an international symposium convened in Amsterdam on 19–20 April 2011 under the auspices of the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF). The purpose of the symposium was to address the issue of whether or how the current system of naming pleomorphic fungi should be maintained or changed now that molecular data are routinely available. The issue is urgent as mycologists currently follow different practices, and no consensus was achieved by a Special Committee appointed in 2005 by the International Botanical Congress to advise on the problem. The Declaration recognizes the need for an orderly transitition to a single-name nomenclatural system for all fungi, and to provide mechanisms to protect names that otherwise then become endangered. That is, meaning that priority should be given to the first described name, except where that is a younger name in general use when the first author to select a name of a pleomorphic monophyletic genus is to be followed, and suggests controversial cases are referred to a body, such as the ICTF, which will report to the Committee for Fungi. If appropriate, the ICTF could be mandated to promote the implementation of the Declaration. In addition, but not forming part of the Declaration, are reports of discussions held during the symposium on the governance of the nomenclature of fungi, and the naming of fungi known only from an environmental nucleic acid sequence in particular. Possible amendments to the Draft BioCode (2011) to allow for the needs of mycologists are suggested for further consideration, and a possible example of how a fungus only known from the environment might be described is presented

Bioaerosol assessment in the library of Istanbul University and fungal flora associated with paper deterioration

Health problems in people who are in indoor environments with poor ventilation have resulted in an increase in the number of studies regarding air quality. Microorganisms and inferior indoor air-climatic conditions not only affect human health but also cause decay of invaluable materials present in libraries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the culturable bioaerosol composition and concentration in the library of Istanbul University. The culturable fungal flora, a biodeterioration agent, of the damaged archival materials was also examined. The air was sampled for a year, as were the surfaces of 207 biologically damaged books. The fungal colonies' range was between 235 and 1850 CFU/m(3), and the bacterial colonies range between 270 and 1920 CFU/m(3). This is the first volumetric record in Turkey. Although the microbial contamination was not very high, molds such as Aspergillus versicolor, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Alternaria alternata, Chaetomium globosum, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus ochraceus might cause harm to human beings or to books as biodeterioration agents. The highest amount of fungus was determined in Archive 3, which contained damaged books. The fungal species isolated from the air and books were essentially the same. Therefore, it is important to determine not only the numeric values but also the microbiological composition of fungal colonies because the variety of fungal species is indicative of a deterioration process in effect over a long period. The deterioration of books must be remedied

Fungal contaminants in man-made water systems connected to municipal water

Water-related fungi are known to cause taste and odor problems, as well as negative health effects, and can lead to water-pipeline clogging. There is no legal regulation on the occurrence of fungi in water environments. However, much research has been performed, but further studies are needed. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the fungal load and the presence of mycotoxigenic fungi in man-made water systems (for homes, hospitals, and shopping centers) connected to municipal water in Istanbul, Turkey. The mean fungal concentrations found in the different water samples were 98 colony-forming units (CFU)/100 mL in shopping centers, 51 CFU/100 mL in hospitals, and 23 CFU/100 mL in homes. The dominant fungal species were identified as Aureobasidium pullulans and Fusarium oxysporum. Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and ochratoxigenic Aspergillus westerdijkiae were only detected in the hospital water samples. Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cladosporium cladosporioides were also detected in the samples. The study reveals that the municipal water supplies, available for different purposes, could thus contain mycotoxigenic fungi. It was concluded that current disinfection procedures may be insufficient, and the presence of the above-mentioned fungi is important for people with suppressed immune systems

Microbial contamination of dental unit waterlines and effect on quality of indoor air

The microbiological quality in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) is considered to be important because patients and dental staff with suppressed immune systems are regularly exposed to water and aerosols generated from dental units (DUs). Opportunistic pathogens like Pseudomonas, Legionella, Candida, and Aspergillus can be present in DUWLs, while during consultations, bioaerosols can be dispersed in the air, thus resulting in effects on microbiological quality of indoor air. This present study represents microbiological air and water quality in dental offices (DOs) and also concerns the relationship between the quality of DO air and dental unit water. This study aimed to assess both the microbial quality of dental unit water and the indoor air in 20 DOs and to survey the effect on the quality of the indoor air with the existing microorganisms in dental unit water. Fourteen out of 20 (70 %) DUWLs were found to be contaminated with a high number of aerobic mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria. In terms of bacterial air contamination levels, in 90 % of DOs, a medium level (< 500 colony-forming units (CFU)/m(3)) of contamination was determined, while in terms of microfungal air contamination, in all DOs, a low level (< 100 CFU/m(3)) of contamination was determined. Potential infection or allergen agents, such as Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Paecilomyces were isolated from water and air samples. This study's determination of contamination sources and evaluation of microbial load in DOs could contribute to the development of quality control methods in the future

Fungal biodiversity and mycotoxigenic fungi in cooling-tower water systems in Istanbul, Turkey

This is the first study to assess fungal diversity and mycotoxigenic fungi in open recirculating cooling-tower (CT) water systems (biofilm and water phase). The production capability of mycotoxin from fungal isolates was also examined. The mean fungal count in 21 different water and biofilm samples was determined as 234 CFU/100 mL and 4 CFU/cm(2). A total of 32 species were identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing. The most common isolated fungi belonged to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, of which the most prevalent fungi were Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium dipodomyicola. From 42% of the surveyed CTs, aflatoxigenic A. flavus isolates were identified. The detection of opportunistic pathogens and/or allergen species suggests that open recirculating CTs are a possible source of fungal infection for both the public and for occupational workers via the inhalation of aerosols and/or skin contact

Mycological contamination in dental unit waterlines in Istanbul, Turkey

Studies on dental units (DUs) are conducted either for the prevention or the reduction of the density of bacterial contamination in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs). However, the existence of fungi in the these systems requires more attention. During dental treatment, direct contact with water contaminated with fungi such as Candida, Aspergillus, or inhalation of aerosols from high-speed drill may cause various respiratory infections, such as asthma, allergies, and wounds on mucose membranes, especially on immunocompromised patients and dentists. The aims of this study are to investigate the number and colonization of fungi in DUWLs in the city of Istanbul, Turkey. Water samples were collected from air-water syringes, high-speed drills, and inlet waters from 41 DUs. The aerobic mesophilic fungi count in highspeed drills was higher than inlet waters and air-water syringes. Non-sporulating fungi were found in 7 DUs. The isolated fungi were identified as Penicillium waksmanii, Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Candida famata, Cryptococcus laurentii, Candida guilliermondii, Penicillium verrucosum, Aspergillus pseudoglaucus, Penicillium decumbens, and Acremonium sp. Some of these fungal genera are known as opportunistic pathogens that led to respiratory diseases such as allergic rhinits. This study shows the importance of regular control of mycological contamination on water at DUs

OPPORTUNISTIC BACTERIAL PATHOGENS OF AEROSOL AND WATER SAMPLES FROM DENTAL EQUIPMENTS

Water and aerosol derived from high-powered aerosolizing instruments in dental units represents a potential source of bacterial infection especially by Legionella and Pseudomonas. In this study, water and aerosol samples were taken from 41 dental units in Istanbul. In the samples taken, the count of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and the presence of Legionella and Pseudomonas were researched by using culture methods. The aerosol samples were collected by active sampling. Physical and chemical parameters of the samples were also measured. The number of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria in 26 dental units out of 41 (63. 41%) exceeded the acceptable limit. Gram negative rods were the predominant bacteria. Legionella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were detected in one and eight water samples (19.5%), respectively. Pseudomonas was not detected in aerosols. The presence of Legionella in the aerosol taken from high-speed drills has been searched and detected for the first time in Turkey. These findings indicate that investigation on bacterial contamination and related risk factors in dentistry should be expanded and effective precautions should be applied in order to reduce bacterial loads

Investigation of the bacterial load and antibiotic susceptibility of dental units

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial contamination level and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacteria from dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) in Istanbul. Bacterial quality of DUWLs is very important, as patients and dental staff are regularly exposed to water and aerosols generated by the unit. If opportunistic pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Legionella pneumophila are present in DUWLs, patient and dental staff can be infected. One hundred water samples were collected from high-speed drills and input waters from 50 dental units. Aerobic heterotrophic bacteria counts and the presence of Legionella, Pseudomonas, oral streptococci, and Staphylococcus were investigated in dental unit waters and aerosol samples. In addition, the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated and identified bacteria from DUWLs was examined. This research found that 37 out of 50 dental unit water samples exceeded the American Dental Association's limit of 200 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL(-1). Legionella, oral streptococci, and S. aureus were not detected in any water or aerosol samples, but P. aeruginosa was isolated in three DUWLs. Also, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus were found in water and aerosol samples. Cefoperazone, ofloxacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and piperacillin were the most effective antibiotics against the isolated bacteria from DUWLs

Indoor airborne fungal pollution in newborn units in Turkey

WOS: 000404652900059PubMed ID: 28667414Pathogenic and/or opportunistic fungal species are major causes of nosocomial infections, especially in controlled environments where immunocompromised patients are hospitalized. Indoor fungal contamination in hospital air is associated with a wide range of adverse health effects. Regular determination of fungal spore counts in controlled hospital environments may help reduce the risk of fungal infections. Because infants have inchoate immune systems, they are given immunocompromised patient status. The aim of the present study was to evaluate culturable airborne fungi in the air of hospital newborn units in the Thrace, Marmara, Aegean, and Central Anatolia regions of Turkey. A total of 108 air samples were collected seasonally from newborn units in July 2012, October 2012, January 2013, and April 2013 by using an air sampler and dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18) as isolation media. We obtained 2593 fungal colonies comprising 370 fungal isolates representing 109 species of 28 genera, which were identified through multi-loci gene sequencing. Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Talaromyces, and Alternaria were the most abundant genera identified (35.14, 25.40, 17.57, 2.70, and 6.22% of the total, respectively).The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey-TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [111T925]; Management of CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre (Utrecht-The Netherlands)We are very grateful to the "The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey-TUBITAK" for financially supporting our study, Project Number: 111T925. Also special thanks to the Management of CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre (Utrecht-The Netherlands) and Prof. Dr. Robert A. SAMSON for their support in molecular studies in their laboratory for some problematic fungal species from our project and for their kind permission for some of our project staff for working there for certain periods. We wish to thanks Neonatal Managers of Trakya University Medical Faculty, Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty, Ege University Medical Faculty, and Celal Bayar University Medical Faculty for allow our study in mentioned units