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Fungal fragments as indoor air biocontaminants

Gorny, R. L., Reponen, T., Willeke, K., Schmechel, D., Robine, E., Boissier, M. and Grinshpun, S. A.
2002
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68 (7): 3522-3531

Gorny, R. L., Reponen, T., Willeke, K., Schmechel, D., Robine, E., Boissier, M. and Grinshpun, S. A., (2002), "Fungal fragments as indoor air biocontaminants", Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68 (7): 3522-3531.
Abstract:
The aerosolization process of fungal propagules of three species (Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium melinii, and Cladosporium cladosporioides) was studied by using a newly designed and constructed aerosolization chamber. We discovered that fungal fragments are aerosolized simultaneously with spores from contaminated agar and ceiling tile surfaces. Concentration measurements with an optical particle counter showed that the fragments are released in higher numbers (up to 320 times) than the spores. The release of fungal propagules varied depending on the fungal species, the air velocity above the contaminated surface, and the texture and vibration of the contaminated material. In contrast to spores, the release of fragments from smooth surfaces was not affected by air velocity, indicating a different release mechanism. Correlation analysis showed that the number of released fragments cannot be predicted on the basis of the number of spores. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with monoclonal antibodies produced against Aspergillus and Penicillum fungal species showed that fragments and spores share common antigens, which not only confirmed the fungal origin of the fragments but also established their potential biological relevance. The considerable immunological reactivity, the high number, and the small particle size of the fungal fragments may contribute to human health effects that have been detected in buildings with mold problems but had no scientific explanation until now. This study suggests that future fungal spore investigations in buildings with mold problems should include the quantitation of fungal fragments.

Gorny RL Filamentous microorganisms and their fragments in indoor air - A review

ANNALS OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE 11 (2): 185-197 2004
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Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Gorny, R. L.
  1. Filamentous microorganisms and their fragments in indoor air - A review
  2. Source strength of fungal spore aerosolization from moldy building material  
Reponen, T.
  1. Aerodynamic diameters and respiratory deposition estimates of viable fungal particles in mold problem dwellings
  2. Aerodynamic versus physical size of spores: measurement and implication for respiratory deposition
  3. Aerosol characteristics of airborne actinomycetes and fungi
  4. Bioaerosol collection by a new electrostatic precipitator
  5. Characteristics of airborne actinomycete spores
  6. Collection of airborne microorganisms by a new electrostatic precipitator
  7. Collection of airborne spores by circular single-stage impactors with small jet-to-plate distance
  8. Collection of bioaerosol particles by impaction: effect of fungal spore agglomeration and bounce
  9. Collection of fungal spores on air filters and spore reentrainment from filters into air
  10. Comparison of concentrations and size distributions of fungal spores in buildings with and without mould problems
  11. Control of exposure to airborne viable microorganisms during remediation of moldy buildings; report of three case studies
  12. Development and evaluation of aerosol generators for biological materials
  13. Effect of building frame and moisture damage on microbiological indoor air quality in school buildings
  14. Effect of indoor sources on fungal spore concentrations and size distributions
  15. Effect of relative humidity on the aerodynamic diameter and respiratory deposition of fungal spores
  16. Evaluation of a new personal sampler for enumerating airborne spores
  17. Everyday activities and variation of fungal spore concentrations in indoor air
  18. Field Testing of New Aerosol Sampling Method With a Porous Curved Surface as Inlet
  19. Fungal spore source strength tester: laboratory evaluation of a new concept
  20. Long-term sampling of airbome bacteria and fungi into a non-evaporating liquid
  21. Performance of Air-O-Cell, Burkard, and Button samplers for total enumeration of airborne spores
  22. Personal exposures and microenvironmental concentrations of particles and bioaerosols
  23. Release of Streptomyces albus propagules from contaminated surfaces
  24. Size distributions of airborne microbes in moisture-damaged and reference school buildings of two construction types
  25. Techniques for dispersion of microorganisms into air
  26. Total and culturable airborne bacteria and fungi in arid region flood-damaged residences
  27. Viable fungal spores as indoor aerosols  
Willeke, K.
  1. Aerosol characteristics of airborne actinomycetes and fungi
  2. Bioaerosol collection by a new electrostatic precipitator
  3. Characteristics of airborne actinomycete spores
  4. Collection of airborne microorganisms by a new electrostatic precipitator
  5. Collection of bioaerosol particles by impaction: effect of fungal spore agglomeration and bounce
  6. Collection of fungal spores on air filters and spore reentrainment from filters into air
  7. Development and evaluation of aerosol generators for biological materials
  8. Effect of impact stress on microbial recovery on an agar surface
  9. Effect of relative humidity on the aerodynamic diameter and respiratory deposition of fungal spores
  10. Evaluation of a new personal sampler for enumerating airborne spores
  11. Improved aerosol collection by combined impaction and centrifugal motion
  12. Inlet sampling efficiency of bioaerosol samplers
  13. Long-term sampling of airbome bacteria and fungi into a non-evaporating liquid
  14. Performance characteristics of the button personal inhalable aerosol sampler
  15. Performance of Air-O-Cell, Burkard, and Button samplers for total enumeration of airborne spores
  16. Performance of bioaerosol samplers: collection characteristics and sampler design considerations
  17. Release of lead-containing particles from a wall enclosure
  18. Release of Streptomyces albus propagules from contaminated surfaces
  19. Source strength of fungal spore aerosolization from moldy building material
  20. Techniques for dispersion of microorganisms into air  
Schmechel, D.
     
Robine, E.
  1. Characterisation of exposure to airborne fungi: Measurement of ergosterol  
Boissier, M.
  1. Characterisation of exposure to airborne fungi: Measurement of ergosterol  
Grinshpun, S. A.
  1. Aerodynamic versus physical size of spores: measurement and implication for respiratory deposition
  2. Aerosol characteristics of airborne actinomycetes and fungi
  3. Bioaerosol collection by a new electrostatic precipitator
  4. Characteristics of airborne actinomycete spores
  5. Collection of airborne microorganisms by a new electrostatic precipitator
  6. Collection of airborne spores by circular single-stage impactors with small jet-to-plate distance
  7. Collection of bioaerosol particles by impaction: effect of fungal spore agglomeration and bounce
  8. Collection of fungal spores on air filters and spore reentrainment from filters into air
  9. Development and evaluation of aerosol generators for biological materials
  10. Effect of impact stress on microbial recovery on an agar surface
  11. Effect of relative humidity on the aerodynamic diameter and respiratory deposition of fungal spores
  12. Evaluation of a new personal sampler for enumerating airborne spores
  13. Field Testing of New Aerosol Sampling Method With a Porous Curved Surface as Inlet
  14. Fungal spore source strength tester: laboratory evaluation of a new concept
  15. Improved aerosol collection by combined impaction and centrifugal motion
  16. Inlet sampling efficiency of bioaerosol samplers
  17. Long-term sampling of airbome bacteria and fungi into a non-evaporating liquid
  18. Performance characteristics of the button personal inhalable aerosol sampler
  19. Performance of Air-O-Cell, Burkard, and Button samplers for total enumeration of airborne spores
  20. Release of lead-containing particles from a wall enclosure
  21. Release of Streptomyces albus propagules from contaminated surfaces
  22. Techniques for dispersion of microorganisms into air  


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