Detection of dermatophytes in the environment of a podiatry clinic

Poster abstract publicado em: Mycoses. 2017;60(Suppl. S2):228-229. Disponível em:http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/myc.12675/epdfObjectives: Podiatry is a healthcare profession that specializes in the management of disorders of the lower limb and foot. Podiatric treatments have the potential to generate substantial concentrations of organic dusts. Occupational exposure to bioaerosols in podiatry clinics has been studied, but it was never accessed in a deeply manner for fungi. The detection of dermatophytes in podiatric clinics is a matter of concern since the environmental presence of these fungi can contribute to spread the infection to podiatry workers and to other patients consulted in the podiatry clinics. The aim of the present study was to characterize the dermatophyte burden during podiatric activities by the use of cultural methods but also molecular methodologies for fungal DNA detection directly from the collected samples. Methods: During the period of 4 weeks, environmental samples from a podiatric clinic were collected for both conventional and molecular methodologies. For culture, 44 air samples and 39 swabs from surfaces were inoculated in Mycosel agar. Fourteen air samples from the same sampling sites were collected for direct detection of fungal DNA. Air samples ranging from 88 to 300L were collected using a calibrated impinger device (Midget ImpingeR WITH Universal Sample Pump, SKC (PA, USA), at 2.2L/min airflow rate. Five milliliters of the collection liquid was used for DNA extraction using the ZR Fungal/Bacterial DNA MiniPrep Kit Detection of dermatophytes species (in general) and Trichophyton rubrum (in particular) were both achieved by using the Dermatophyte PCR kit, (SSI Diagnostica, Herredsvejen Hillerød, Denmark). PCR amplifications were performed using 2 μL and 5 μL of the extracted DNA. Results: In the first week, 1 out of 17 samples had a positive result for Trichophyton rubrum (detected in an air sample), whereas in the remaining weeks, no dermatophytes were identified in the remaining 129 samples (weeks 2, 3 and 4). The molecular detection of dermatophytes was performed in the 14 air samples using two different DNA volumes: 2 and 5 µl. Using 2 µl of the extracted DNA, 1 out 14 samples gave a positive result for T. rubrum and none of the PCR reactions was inhibited. Using a 5 µl volume of DNA, 5 samples were positive for T. rubrum but the PCR reaction was inhibited in 6 of them (Table 1). Globally, 5 out of the 14 (36%) samples analyzed showed positive results for the detection of T. rubrum DNA. Conclusions: Giving the ratio of positive/inhibited PCR reactions, we cannot rule out the hypothesis of more positive samples. Nevertheless, the obtained results emphasize the importance of the application of new methodologies for an air quality assessment approach and reinforce the complementarity of both cultural and conventional methodologies. To our knowledge, this study presents for the first time, the application of the Dermatophyte PCR kit for dermatophyte DNA detection directly from environmental samples (air). The promising results indicate the need of optimization of this procedure specifically in this type of samples in order to use this methodology in a routine basis, for occupational and indoor air quality exposure assessments.Funding was provided from: The Committee of the Directorate of Education, The College of Podiatry, UK.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Using PM2.5 concentrations to estimate the health burden from solid fuel combustion, with application to Irish and Scottish homes

Background: This study estimates the potential population health burden from exposure to combustion-derived particulate air pollution in domestic settings in Ireland and Scotland. Methods: The study focused on solid fuel combustion used for heating and the use of gas for cooking. PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) was used as the pollutant mixture indicator. Measured PM2.5 concentrations in homes using solid fuels were adjusted for other sources of PM2.5 by subtracting PM2.5 concentrations in homes using gas for cooking but not solid fuel heating. Health burden was estimated for exposure indoors 6 pm - midnight, or all day (24-hour), by combining estimated attributable annual PM2.5 exposures with (i) selected epidemiological functions linking PM2.5 with mortality and morbidity (involving some re-scaling from PM10 to PM2.5, and adjustments ‘translating’ from concentrations to exposures) and (ii) on the current population exposed and background rates of morbidity and mortality. Results: PM2.5 concentrations in coal and wood burning homes were similar to homes using gas for cooking, used here as a baseline (mean 24-hr PM2.5 concentrations 8.6 μg/m3) and so health impacts were not calculated. Concentrations of PM2.5 in homes using peat were higher (24-hr mean 15.6 μg/m3); however, health impacts were calculated for the exposed population in Ireland only; the proportion exposed in Scotland was very small. The assessment for winter evening exposure (estimated annual average increase of 2.11 μg/m3 over baseline) estimated 21 additional annual cases of all-cause mortality, 55 of chronic bronchitis, and 30,100 and 38,000 annual lower respiratory symptom days (including cough) and restricted activity days respectively. Conclusion: New methods for estimating the potential health burden of combustion-generated pollution from solid fuels in Irish and Scottish homes are provided. The methodology involves several approximations and uncertainties but is consistent with a wider movement towards quantifying risks in PM2.5 irrespective of source. Results show an effect of indoor smoke from using peat (but not wood or coal) for heating and cooking; but they do not suggest that this is a major public health issue

Occupational exposures to organic dust in Irish bakeries and a pizzeria restaurant

Project EXPOsE, nº 23222 (02/SAICT/2016)For decades, occupational exposure to flour dust has been linked to a range of respiratory diseases, including occupational asthma, thought to result from exposure to fungi present in the flour. Antifungal resistance is of increasing prevalence in clinical settings, and the role of occupational and environmental exposures, particularly for specific fungal species, is of concern. Occupational exposure to flour dust can occur in a range of occupational settings, however, few studies have focused on restaurant workers. The objective of this study was to measure occupational exposure to the flour and microbial contamination, including azole resistance screening, in two small commercial bakeries and in a pizzeria. Personal full shift inhalable dust measurements were collected from workers and were analyzed for inhalable dust and fungi, bacteria, azole resistance, and mycotoxins. Samples of settled dust were collected, and electrostatic dust cloths (EDC) were deployed and analyzed for microbial contamination, including azole resistance screening, and mycotoxins. Geometric mean exposures of 6.5 mg m-³ were calculated for inhalable dust, however, exposures of up to 18.30 mg m-³ were measured-70% of personal exposure measurements exceeded the occupational exposure limit for flour dust of 1.0 mg m-³. The air and EDC fungal counts were similar to those reported in previous studies for similar occupational environments. The fungi were dominated by Penicillium genera, however Aspergillus genera, including Fumigati and Flavi sections, were observed using culture-based methods, and the Fumigati section was also observed by molecular tools. Both Aspergillus sections were identified on the azole resistance screening. Mycotoxins were also detected in the settled dust samples, dominated by deoxynivalenol (DON). The role of environmental exposure in both the development of antimicrobial resistance and the total mycotoxin body burden is a growing concern; therefore, the presence of azole-resistant fungi and mycotoxin contamination, although low in magnitude, is of concern and warrants further investigation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Detection of dermatophytes in the environment of a podiatry clinic

Podiatry is a healthcare profession that specializes in the management of disorders of the lower limb and foot. Podiatric treatments have the potential to generate substantial concentrations of organic dusts. Occupational exposure to bioaerosols in podiatry clinics has been studied, but it was never accessed in a deeply manner for fungi. The detection of dermatophytes in podiatric clinics is a matter of concern since the environmental presence of these fungi can contribute to spread the infection to podiatry workers and to other patients consulted in the podiatry clinics. The aim of the present study was to characterize the dermatophyte burden during podiatric activities by the use of cultural methods but also molecular methodologies for fungal DNA detection directly from the collected samples.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

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Indoor air quality and thermal comfort in Irish retrofitted energy efficient homes

Results from an Irish study comparing the concentrations of 10 indoor air pollutants and occupant comfort in 15 naturally ventilated three bed semi-detached two storey homes before and after the implementation of energy efficient retrofit will be presented. As part of the energy retrofit homes received new windows and doors, an upgraded heating system, attic insulation, and wall vents along with pumped beaded wall insulation into the wall cavity. The energy upgrades resulted in building air tightness levels increasing from 9.26 m3/h.m2 to values of between 5.53 m3/h.m2 and 8.61 m3/h.m2. Temperature and relative humidity (RH), along with concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, TVOCs, PM2.5, CO2, and CO were measured over a 24-hour period in the main living area and main bedroom of each home. Concentrations of NO2 and formaldehyde were measured in the living room only. Contextual information regarding the household and occupant activities such as when the heating system was used during the monitoring period was collected using occupant diaries and questionnaires.The authors wish to acknowledge the grant aid provided by the EPA on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG) under the STRIVE programme 2007 – 2013, and also provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).peer-reviewe

Using PM2.5 concentrations to estimate the health burden from solid fuel combustion, with application to Irish and Scottish homes

Journal article (open access, can archive publisher\u27s version: http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/1476-069X/ )Background: This study estimates the potential population health burden from exposure to combustion-derived particulate air pollution in domestic settings in Ireland and Scotland.Methods: The study focused on solid fuel combustion used for heating and the use of gas for cooking.Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for the Environment (STRIVE) programme 2007¿2013; National Development Plan 2007¿201