Airborne Fungi in Tabriz, Comparing Airborne and Clinical Samples of <italic>A. fumigatus</italic> (2011), Survey and Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Air contamination with fungal spores and the presence of these spores on respiratory tract, especially in industrialized cities with contaminated air, can play an important role on the occurrence of respiratory and coetaneous mycoses, asthma and allergic reactions. This survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of different fungal spores in the atmosphere of Tabriz district. Objectives: The present study aimed to detect fungal air spores in Tabriz environments, and to compare the environmental samples of Aspergillus fumigatus with the clinical isolated samples of this fungus, due to the importance of the dangers of A. fumigatus for public health, particularly for the immunocompromised patients. Materials and Methods: During this survey, the presence of air fungal spores was analyzed using settle plate and prepared culture in Sabouraud’s dextrose agar. Prior identifications were performed using macroscopic characters, and direct microscopy. 262 samples were collected from different areas of the atmosphere of Tabriz district within all four seasons of the year. Fungal colonies were isolated from all air samples and identified using macroscopic and microscopic characters, and slid culture. Results: The main isolated fungal spores from the atmosphere of Tabriz district were Penicillium Sp. (36.6%), Cladosporidium Sp. (26.8%) and Aspergillus Sp. (23.6%). Conclusions: The presence of fungal spores in the atmosphere as a part of air pollution can cause significant problems for human health, particularly in the respiratory tracts.