RESUMO
Extensive flooding caused by Hurricane María in Puerto Rico (PR) created favorable conditions for indoor growth of filamentous fungi. These conditions represent a public health concern as contamination by environmental fungi is associated with a higher prevalence of inflammatory respiratory conditions. This work compares culturable fungal spore communities present in homes that sustained water damage after Hurricane María to those present in dry, non-flooded homes. We collected air samples from 50 houses in a neighborhood in San Juan, PR, 12 and 22 months after Hurricane María. Self-reported data was used to classify the homes as flooded, water-damage or dry non-flooded. Fungi abundances, composition and diversity were analyzed by culturing on two media. Our results showed no significant differences in indoor fungal concentrations (CFU/m3) one year after the Hurricane in both culture media studied (MEA and G25N). During the second sampling period fungal levels were 2.7 times higher in previously flooded homes (Median = 758) when compared to dry homes (Median = 283), (p-value < 0.005). Fungal profiles showed enrichment of Aspergillus species inside flooded homes compared to outdoor samples during the first sampling period (FDR-adjusted p-value = 0.05). In contrast, 22 months after the storm, indoor fungal composition consisted primarily of non-sporulated fungi, most likely basidiospores, which are characteristic of the outdoor air in PR. Together, this data highlights that homes that suffered water damage not only have higher indoor proliferation of filamentous fungi, but their indoor fungal populations change over time following the Hurricane. Ultimately, after nearly two years, indoor and outdoor fungal communities converged in this sample of naturally ventilated homes.
Assuntos
Tempestades Ciclônicas , Humanos , Porto Rico , Microbiologia do Ar , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Fungos , Esporos Fúngicos , Proliferação de CélulasRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Fungal spores are ubiquitous in the atmosphere worldwide, but their distribution is not homogeneous at different locations. Most studies have compared airborne fungal spores ecology in temperate zones, but less is known about the tropics. METHODS: This study compared, through statistical analysis of archived datasets, the predominant fungal groups, patterns and meteorological variables affecting airborne fungal spore concentrations between two major cities in the Caribbean (Havana and San Juan) during the year 2015. RESULTS: In Havana, the predominant fungal group was Cladosporium while in San Juan were basidiospores. Our data provide evidence of differences and similarities in the monthly distribution of airborne spores in Havana and San Juan, but Cladosporium, ascospores y basidiospores had comparable hourly patterns in both cities and were affected by the same meteorological variables. CONCLUSION: Our study provides additional evidence to help design allergy interventions.
Assuntos
Microbiologia do Ar , Ascomicetos , Basidiomycota , Cladosporium , Esporos Fúngicos/isolamento & purificação , Aspergillus , Cidades , Cuba , Fungos , Conceitos Meteorológicos , Penicillium , Porto Rico , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The allergenic potential of Ganoderma applanatum basidiospores has been demonstrated previously in Puerto Rico. However, basidiomycete allergens are not available for inclusion in allergy diagnostic panels. Therefore, we sought to confirm allergic sensitization to G. applanatum crude spore cytoplasmic extract through reactivity in serological assays and detection of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding polypeptides. METHODS: Via an indirect ELISA, serological reactivity was compared between groups of individuals with different allergic profiles. Group 1 (n = 51) consisted of individuals with sIgE to the allergens included in the diagnostic panels; group 2 (n = 14) comprised individuals with no sIgE to the allergens tested; and group 3 (n = 22) included individuals with no allergic history. To visualize IgE-binding polypeptides, group 1 sera were examined via Western blotting (WB). Polypeptide bands with the highest reactivity were analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS) for putative identification. RESULTS: The serological reactivity of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 3 in an indirect ELISA (p = 0.03). Sixty-five percent of group 1 individuals showed reactivity to polypeptide bands in WB. Bands of 81 and 56 kDa had the highest reactivity proportions among the reactive sera, followed by a 45-kDa band. MS analysis of these 3 polypeptides suggests that they are basidiomycete-derived enzymes with aconitate hydratase, catalase, and enolase functions. CONCLUSIONS: G. applanatum spores have allergenic components recognized by Puerto Rican individuals, which could eventually be considered as markers in cases of fungal allergy and be included in diagnostic allergen panels in Puerto Rico and tropical regions.
Assuntos
Alérgenos/imunologia , Antígenos de Fungos/imunologia , Ganoderma/imunologia , Imunoglobulina E/imunologia , Peptídeos/imunologia , Esporos Fúngicos/imunologia , Adulto , Citoplasma/química , Humanos , Hipersensibilidade/sangue , Hipersensibilidade/diagnóstico , Hipersensibilidade/imunologia , Porto Rico , Testes CutâneosRESUMO
Fungal allergies can be detected by the skin prick test with extracts of the organisms, but not all fungi, including the basidiomycetes, are being examined. We determined the level of sensitization to basidiomycetes in allergic subjects and compared their reactivity to commercial extracts commonly used to detect allergies. Crude spore extracts of the basidiomycetes Ganoderma applanatum, Chlorophyllum molybdites, and Pleurotus ostreatus, which are known to release numerous spores, were examined along with commercial extracts on 33 subjects with asthma, allergic or non-allergic rhinitis. Overall, affected subjects showed the highest reactivity to mites (36%), followed by Ganoderma applanatum (30%), grass (27%) Chlorophyllum molybdites (12%) and Pleurotus ostreatus (12%). Allergic rhinitis patients were most reactive to mites (58%), grass (42%), Ganoderma applanatum (25%), Penicillium spp. (25%), and cat (17%). Those with asthma primarily responded to mites (44%), Ganoderma applanatum (44%), grass (33%), and Pleurotus ostreatus (22%). IgE levels correlated with positive basidiomycetes extracts. This finding, coupled with higher reactivity to basidiospores as compared to mitospores, and the similar sensitivities of patients to G. applanatum and mites, suggest that basidiomycetes are important allergen sources in the tropics.
Assuntos
Agaricales/imunologia , Antígenos de Fungos/imunologia , Asma/imunologia , Ganoderma/imunologia , Rinite Alérgica Perene/imunologia , Adulto , Agaricales/isolamento & purificação , Alérgenos/imunologia , Animais , Asma/microbiologia , Misturas Complexas/imunologia , Meio Ambiente , Feminino , Carpóforos , Ganoderma/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Imunoglobulina E/imunologia , Masculino , Ácaros/imunologia , Poaceae/imunologia , Porto Rico , Rinite Alérgica Perene/microbiologia , Pele/imunologia , Testes Cutâneos , Esporos Fúngicos/imunologia , Clima Tropical , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Fungal spores are the predominant biological particulate in the atmosphere of Puerto Rico, yet their potential as allergens has not been studied in subjects with respiratory allergies. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of sensitization of subjects with respiratory allergies to these particles. METHODS: Serum samples were drawn from 33 subjects with asthma, allergic rhinitis, or nonallergic rhinitis and 2 controls with different skin prick test reactivity. An MK-3 sampler was used to collect air samples and the reactivity of the sera to fungal particles was detected with a halogen immunoassay. RESULTS: All subjects reacted to at least 1 fungal particle. Thirty-one subjects reacted to ascospores, 29 to basidiospores, 19 to hyphae/fungal fragments, and 12 to mitospores. The median percentage of haloes in allergic rhinitis subjects was 4.82% while asthma or nonallergic rhinitis subjects had values of 1.09 and 0.39%, respectively. Subjects with skin prick tests positive to 3, 2, 1, or no extract had 5.24, 1.09, 1.61, and, 0.57% of haloed particles, respectively. If skin prick tests were positive to basidiomycetes, pollen, animals, or deuteromycetes, the percentages of haloes were 4.72, 4.15, 3.63, and 3.31%, respectively. Of all haloed particles, 46% were unidentified, 25% ascospores, 20% basidiospores, 7% hyphae/fungal fragments, and 2% mitospores. IgE levels and the number of positive skin prick test extracts correlated with the percentage of haloes. CONCLUSION: In tropical environments, sensitization to airborne basidiomycetes, ascomycetes, and fungal fragments seems to be more prevalent than sensitization to mitospores in subjects with active allergies, suggesting a possible role in exacerbations of respiratory allergies.