Comparative performance of two air samplers for monitoring airborne fungal propagules
Many studies have attempted to evaluate the importance of airborne fungi in the development of invasive fungal infection, especially for immunocompromised hosts. Several kinds of instruments are available to quantitate fungal propagule levels in air. We compared the performance of the most frequentl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica
2003-05-01
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| Series: | Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2003000500008 |
| _version_ | 1811239806724734976 |
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| author | L.G.F. Távora W. Gambale E.M. Heins-Vaccari G.L.H. Arriagada C.S. Lacaz C.R. Santos A.S. Levin |
| author_facet | L.G.F. Távora W. Gambale E.M. Heins-Vaccari G.L.H. Arriagada C.S. Lacaz C.R. Santos A.S. Levin |
| author_sort | L.G.F. Távora |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many studies have attempted to evaluate the importance of airborne fungi in the development of invasive fungal infection, especially for immunocompromised hosts. Several kinds of instruments are available to quantitate fungal propagule levels in air. We compared the performance of the most frequently used air sampler, the Andersen sampler with six stages, with a portable one, the Reuter centrifugal sampler (RCS). A total of 84 samples were analyzed, 42 with each sampler. Twenty-eight different fungal genera were identified in samples analyzed with the Andersen instrument. In samples obtained with the RCS only seven different fungal genera were identified. The three most frequently isolated genera in samples analyzed with both devices were Penicillium, Aspergillus and Cladophialophora. In areas supplied with a high efficiency particulate air filter, fungal spore levels were usually lower when compared to areas without these filters. There was a significant correlation between total fungal propagule measurements taken with both devices on each sampling occasion (Pearson coefficient = 0.50). However, the Andersen device recovered a broader spectrum of fungi. We conclude that the RCS can be used for quantitative estimates of airborne microbiological concentrations. For qualitative studies, however, this device cannot be recommended. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T13:07:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-033d779c75be458f9ec6e41c2f0d3fdf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0100-879X 1414-431X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T13:07:39Z |
| publishDate | 2003-05-01 |
| publisher | Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-033d779c75be458f9ec6e41c2f0d3fdf2022-12-22T03:31:58ZengAssociação Brasileira de Divulgação CientíficaBrazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research0100-879X1414-431X2003-05-0136561361610.1590/S0100-879X2003000500008Comparative performance of two air samplers for monitoring airborne fungal propagulesL.G.F. TávoraW. GambaleE.M. Heins-VaccariG.L.H. ArriagadaC.S. LacazC.R. SantosA.S. LevinMany studies have attempted to evaluate the importance of airborne fungi in the development of invasive fungal infection, especially for immunocompromised hosts. Several kinds of instruments are available to quantitate fungal propagule levels in air. We compared the performance of the most frequently used air sampler, the Andersen sampler with six stages, with a portable one, the Reuter centrifugal sampler (RCS). A total of 84 samples were analyzed, 42 with each sampler. Twenty-eight different fungal genera were identified in samples analyzed with the Andersen instrument. In samples obtained with the RCS only seven different fungal genera were identified. The three most frequently isolated genera in samples analyzed with both devices were Penicillium, Aspergillus and Cladophialophora. In areas supplied with a high efficiency particulate air filter, fungal spore levels were usually lower when compared to areas without these filters. There was a significant correlation between total fungal propagule measurements taken with both devices on each sampling occasion (Pearson coefficient = 0.50). However, the Andersen device recovered a broader spectrum of fungi. We conclude that the RCS can be used for quantitative estimates of airborne microbiological concentrations. For qualitative studies, however, this device cannot be recommended.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2003000500008Andersen samplerReuter centrifugal samplerAir samplerFungal contaminationIndoor airHospital air |
| spellingShingle | L.G.F. Távora W. Gambale E.M. Heins-Vaccari G.L.H. Arriagada C.S. Lacaz C.R. Santos A.S. Levin Comparative performance of two air samplers for monitoring airborne fungal propagules Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research Andersen sampler Reuter centrifugal sampler Air sampler Fungal contamination Indoor air Hospital air |
| title | Comparative performance of two air samplers for monitoring airborne fungal propagules |
| title_full | Comparative performance of two air samplers for monitoring airborne fungal propagules |
| title_fullStr | Comparative performance of two air samplers for monitoring airborne fungal propagules |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative performance of two air samplers for monitoring airborne fungal propagules |
| title_short | Comparative performance of two air samplers for monitoring airborne fungal propagules |
| title_sort | comparative performance of two air samplers for monitoring airborne fungal propagules |
| topic | Andersen sampler Reuter centrifugal sampler Air sampler Fungal contamination Indoor air Hospital air |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2003000500008 |
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