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15 pages, 1116 KB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Indoor Molds after Ajka Red Mud Spill, Hungary

by Donát Magyar, Zsófia Tischner, Bence Szabó, Ágnes Freiler-Nagy, Tamás Papp, Henrietta Allaga and László Kredics

Pathogens 2024, 13(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13010022 - 26 Dec 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2582

Abstract

A red mud suspension of ~700,000 m³ was accidentally released from the alumina plant in Ajka, Hungary, on the 4th of October 2010, flooding several buildings in the nearby towns. As there is no information in the literature on the effects of red mud on indoor mold growth, we conducted studies to answer the following question: does the heavy metal content of red mud inhibit fungal colonization in flooded houses? In order to gain knowledge on fungal spectra colonizing surfaces soaked with red mud and on the ability of fungi to grow on them, swabs, tape lifts, and air samples were collected from three case study buildings. A total of 43 fungal taxa were detected. The dominant species were Penicillium spp. on plaster/brick walls, but Aspergillus series Versicolores, Cladosporium, Acremonium, and Scopulariopsis spp. were also present. The level of airborne penicillia was high in all indoor samples. Selected fungal strains were subcultured on 2% MEA with 10⁻¹ and 10⁻⁴ dilutions of red mud. The growth rate of most of the strains was not significantly reduced by red mud on the artificial media. The consequences of similar industrial flooding on indoor molds are also discussed in this paper. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Detection of Indoor Fungi: Part II)

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26 pages, 2245 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Spectrometric Characterization of Clinical and Environmental Isolates of Aspergillus Series Versicolores

by Océane Jomat, Antoine Géry, Astrid Leudet, Agathe Capitaine, David Garon and Julie Bonhomme

J. Fungi 2023, 9(9), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9090868 - 23 Aug 2023

Viewed by 2474

Abstract

Aspergillus series Versicolores are molds distributed among 17 species, commonly found in our environment, and responsible for infections. Since 2022, a new taxonomy has grouped them into 4 major lineages: A. versicolor, A. subversicolor, A. sydowii, and A. creber. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) could be a faster and more cost-effective alternative to molecular techniques for identifying them by developing a local database. To evaluate this technique, 30 isolates from Aspergillus series Versicolores were used. A total of 59 main spectra profiles (MSPs) were created in the local database. This protocol enabled accurate identification of 100% of the extracted isolates, of which 97% (29/30) were correctly identified with a log score ≥ 2.00. Some MSPs recorded as Aspergillus versicolor in the supplier’s database could lead to false identifications as they did not match with the correct lineages. Although the local database is still limited in the number and diversity of species of Aspergillus series Versicolores, it is sufficiently effective for correct lineage identification according to the latest taxonomic revision, and better than the MALDI-TOF MS supplier’s database. This technology could improve the speed and accuracy of routine fungal identification for these species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi)

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14 pages, 1760 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cellular Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Potential of Recurrent Molds of the Genus Aspergillus Series Versicolores

by Antoine Géry, Charlie Lepetit, Natacha Heutte, Virginie Séguin, Julie Bonhomme and David Garon

Microorganisms 2022, 10(2), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10020228 - 20 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2877

Abstract

Molds are ubiquitous biological pollutants in bioaerosols. Among these molds, the genus Aspergillus is found in the majority of indoor air samples, and includes several species with pathogenic and toxigenic properties. Aspergillus species in the series Versicolores remain little known despite recurrence in bioaerosols. In order to investigate their toxicity, we studied 22 isolates of clinical and environmental origin, corresponding to seven different species of the series Versicolores. Spore suspensions and ethyl acetate extracts prepared from fungal isolates were subjected to oxidative potential measurement using the dithiothreitol (DTT) test and cell survival measurement. The DTT tests showed that all species of the series Versicolores had an oxidative potential, either by their spores (especially for Aspergillus jensenii) or by the extracts (especially from Aspergillus amoenus). Measurements of cell survival of A549 and HaCaT cell lines showed that only the spore suspension containing 10⁵ spores/mL of Aspergillus jensenii caused a significant decrease in survival after 72 h of exposure. The same tests performed with mixtures of 10⁵ spores/mL showed a potentiation of the cytotoxic effect, with a significant decrease in cell survival for mixtures containing spores of two species (on A549 cells, p = 0.05 and HaCaT cells, p = 0.001) or three different species (on HaCaT cells, p = 0.05). Cell survival assays after 72 h of exposure to the fungal extracts showed that Aspergillus puulaauensis extract was the most cytotoxic (IC50 < 25 µg/mL), while Aspergillus fructus caused no significant decrease in cell survival. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aspergillus spp. Indoors - a Public Health Problem)

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20 pages, 7736 KB

Open AccessArticle

First Characterization and Description of Aspergillus Series Versicolores in French Bioaerosols

by Antoine Géry, Jean-Philippe Rioult, Natacha Heutte, Virginie Séguin, Julie Bonhomme and David Garon

J. Fungi 2021, 7(8), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7080676 - 21 Aug 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6950

Abstract

Air quality can be altered by fungal contaminants suspended in the air, forming bioaerosols. Aspergilli section Nidulantes series Versicolores are recurrent in bioaerosols and are mainly responsible for allergies and asthma aggravation. Phylogenetic studies recently identified 12 new species within this series. This study is the first to identify species of Aspergillus series Versicolores in French bioaerosols and to characterize them macroscopically, microscopically and molecularly. Bioaerosols were collected in a cancer treatment center, in contaminated homes and in agricultural environments. A total of 93 isolates were cultured on selective media, observed by optical microscopy and identified by benA amplification before sequencing. The field data (temperature and relative humidity) were statistically tested to explore the ecology of these species. Eight species were identified from bioaerosols: Aspergillus creber and A. jensenii, which represent more than 80% of the isolates, and A. protuberus, A. puulaauensis, A. sydowii, A. tabacinus, A. amoenus and A. fructus. Aspergilli series Versicolores are distributed differently depending on the sampling site and climatic determinants. Aspergillus protuberus was found in bioaerosols collected under significantly lower relative humidity (p = 3.899 × 10⁻⁴). Characterization and repartition of these isolates belonging to the Versicolores series constitute an important step to better assess exposure to fungal bioaerosols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Classification of Environmental Fungi)

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13 pages, 403 KB

Open AccessArticle

Differentiation of Toxic Molds via Headspace SPME-GC/MS and Canine Detection

by Robert T. Griffith, Krishnaswamy Jayachandran, William Whitstine and Kenneth G. Furton

Sensors 2007, 7(8), 1496-1508; https://doi.org/10.3390/s7081496 - 13 Aug 2007

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 10446

Abstract

Indoor mold growth has recently become a concern in the legal world in regards to insurance litigation. Hazardous mold exposure to humans has been linked to many acute and chronic adverse health effects including death. As it grows, mold produces several types of primary and secondary metabolites, including microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). Microbial volatile organic compound emission may be used as a preliminary indication of a mold infestation that is invisible to the unaided eye. The objective of the study is to identify the unique odor signatures of three species of molds, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Stachybotrys chartarum by SPME-GC/MS analysis. Determining the compounds that are emitted by the selected species has made it possible to conduct validation studies of canine detection of these mold species through a series of field tests. Full article

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