RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Biological agents, such as fungal spores in the air in places where scientific collections are stored, can attack and deteriorate them. AIMS: The aim of this study was to gather information on the indoor air quality of the Herbarium of Vascular Plants of the Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata, Argentina, in relation to fungal propagules and inert particles. METHODS: This study was made using a volumetric system and two complementary sampling methods: (1) a non-viable method for direct evaluation, and (2) a viable method by culture for viable fungal propagules. RESULTS: The non-viable method led to ten spore morphotypes being found from related fungal sources. A total of 4401.88spores/m3 and 32135.18 inert suspended particles/m3 were recorded. The viable method led to the finding of nine fungal taxa as viable spores that mostly belonged to anamorphic forms of Ascomycota, although the pigmented yeast Rhodotorula F.C. Harrison (Basidiomycota) was also found. A total count of 40,500fungal CFU/m3 air was estimated for all the sites sampled. CONCLUSIONS: Both the non-viable and viable sampling methods were necessary to monitor the bio-aerosol load in the La Plata Herbarium. The indoor air of this institution seems to be reasonably adequate for the conservation of vascular plants due to the low indoor/outdoor index, low concentrations of air spores, and/or lack of indicators of moisture problems.

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RESUMO

En las últimas décadas se ha demostrado claramente el rol del aire en la transmisión de microorganismos oportunistas en ambientes endógenos, especialmente en centros hospitalarios, personal dependiente y en pacientes susceptibles hospitalizados. El presente trabajo tiene como finalidad detectar la cantidad y diversidad de la micobiota anemófila y de superficies presente en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) del Hospital Pediátrico ®Juan Pablo II¼ de la ciudad de Corrientes (Argentina), mediante un Colector SAS súper 100 y por el método del hisopo, en 2 períodos estacionales (otoño y primavera), cada 15 días, a mediodía y después de la limpieza habitual de la unidad. El número de UFC hallado, excedió considerablemente los parámetros establecidos y los géneros de hongos filamentosos más frecuentes en el aire y en las superficies fueron los integrantes de los géneros: Cladosporium, Penicillium y Aspergillus, seguidos por Acremonium, Fusarium, Curvularia y Chrysonilia. Algunos de sus integrantes son considerados como patógenos oportunistas y productores de toxinas como: Aspergillus fumigatus, A.flavus, A.niger, Acremonium strictum complex, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichoderma harzianum y Stachybotrys atra, (este último se presentó una sola vez). La presencia de estos taxa se considera inaceptable en ambientes cerrados. Debido a la información obtenida en el presente trabajo se intensificaron las medidas para disminuir la carga fúngica ambiental de esta zona hospitalaria donde están bajo tratamiento intensivo pacientes en alto riesgo.

Lately decades have clearly evidenced the role that air plays in the transmission of opportunistic microorganisms under endogenous environments, mainly in hospitals, health centers, working personnel as well as in liable patients that are hospitalized. The present paper has been designed to detect the amount and diversity of anemophyle and surface mycota occurring at the Intensive Care Unit (UTI) in the Hospital Pediátrico ®Juan Pablo II¼ of the city of Corrientes (Argentina) by means of a super 100 SAS Colector and using the sprinkling water method in 2 seasonal periods (fall and spring), every 15 day, at midday and after the regular cleaning process of the unit. The number of UFC found exceeded greatly the established parameters whilst filamentous fungi occurring most frequently in the air and surfaces were those belonging to the genera: Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus, followed by Acremonium, Fusarium, Curvularia and Chrysonilia. Some of their members are considered opportunistic pathogenus and toxin producers such as Aspergillus umigatus, A.flavus, A.niger, Acremonium strictum complex, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichoderma harzianum and Stachybotrys atra, (the latter appeared only once). The presence of these taxa is found to be unacceptable indoors. Considering the information described in this paper, control measures were intensified to reduce environmental fungal load in this hospital area where patients under high risk are treated.

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