17 research outputs found
Detection of dermatophytes in the environment of a podiatry clinic
Poster abstract publicado em: Mycoses. 2017;60(Suppl. S2):228-229. DisponÃvel 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
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
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
Occupational exposures in an equestrian centre to respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica
Abstract: Sand-based products are regularly used as footing material on indoor equestrian arenas, creating a potential occupational exposure risk for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for equestrian workers training and exercising horses in these environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate an equestrian worker s personal RCS and respirable dust (RD) exposure. Sixteen personal full-shift RD measurements were collected from an equestrian worker and analysed for RD, quartz and cristobalite. Geometric mean exposures of 0.12 mg m−3 and 0.02 mg m−3 were calculated for RD and RCS concentrations, respectively. RCS exposures of between 0.01 to 0.09 mg m−3 were measured on days when the indoor arena surface was not watered, compared to lower exposures (This research was funded by the MSc Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety programme of
the National University of Ireland, Galwaypeer-reviewe
Occupational exposures in an equestrian centre to respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica
Abstract: Sand-based products are regularly used as footing material on indoor equestrian arenas, creating a potential occupational exposure risk for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for equestrian workers training and exercising horses in these environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate an equestrian worker s personal RCS and respirable dust (RD) exposure. Sixteen personal full-shift RD measurements were collected from an equestrian worker and analysed for RD, quartz and cristobalite. Geometric mean exposures of 0.12 mg m−3 and 0.02 mg m−3 were calculated for RD and RCS concentrations, respectively. RCS exposures of between 0.01 to 0.09 mg m−3 were measured on days when the indoor arena surface was not watered, compared to lower exposures (This research was funded by the MSc Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety programme of
the National University of Ireland, Galwa
Exposure to Inhalable Dust, Endotoxin and Total Volatile Organic Carbons (TVOCs) on Dairy Farms Using Manual and Automated Feeding Systems
Response to comment on "Concentrations of brominated flame retardants in indoor air and dust from Ireland reveal elevated exposure to decabromodiphenyl ethane"
Occupational Exposures in an Equestrian Centre to Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica
Deep energy renovations’ impact on indoor air quality and thermal comfort of residential dwellings in Ireland – ARDEN project
As Europe's residential energy renovation programmes accelerate, field studies assessing their impact on indoor environmental quality are required to ensure maximum co-benefits to occupants' health and wellbeing. In this work, we evaluated the impact of deep energy renovation (DER) on indoor air quality (IAQ), ventilation, and thermal comfort in a sample of Irish homes (n = 12). Indoor air pollutants (IAPs), including particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), formaldehyde, radon, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and BTEX, were measured pre and post DER. Performance of the newly installed mechanical ventilation systems was also assessed. Questionnaires and diaries were used to collect feedback regarding the retrofit and occupant activities. All occupants reported high levels of satisfaction with thermal comfort, and homes were significantly warmer post-retrofit (p < 0.0001). The DER improved indoor CO2 concentrations, indicating a positive impact on residential ventilation. However, many bedrooms were still under ventilated. PM2.5 (p < 0.0001) and formaldehyde (p < 0.05) concentrations increased post-retrofit. Higher concentrations of PM2.5 were most likely due to a combination of factors including inadequate ventilation, ingress from outdoors via open windows or doors, presence of a wood burning stove and other occupant activities. Retrofits were observed to have poor compliance with ventilation recommendations. Greater emphasis on pollutant source control along with proper installation and maintenance of mechanical ventilation systems is required to ensure DERs lead to sustainable and healthy homes