Fungal bio-aerosol in multiple micro-environments from eastern India: source, distribution, and health hazards

Abstract

Health hazards associated with bio-aerosol is gaining immense importance in recent time. However, studies linking the probable source characterization of bio-aerosol, and their potential effect as respiratory ailments on the local people are extremely rare over the Indian subcontinent as well as in global perspective. To fill our knowledge gap, we have conducted a 3-year study on fungal bio-aerosol characterization, possible source segregation, identification of health hazardous fungal species and their role in causing allergy from seven different micro-environments over a semi-rural site of lower Indo-Gangetic Plain, West Bengal, India. The result showed the highest fungal spore concentration as well as spore diversity in the crop field (4477 ± 1343 spores m−3) and the lowest in the classroom (1994 ± 651 spores m−3). Ascospore, basidiospore, Cladosporium, and Aspergilli group were the primary indoor spores. The marker species for the crop field were Curvularia and Drechslera, whereas Ganoderma was for the factory environment. Source profile of the fungal spore of different micro-environments indicates the domination of outdoor species, whereas enclosed micro-environments have been dominated with spores of indoor origin. Aspergillus, Curvularia, Penicillium, and Rhizopus oryzae showed maximum correlation with the local allergic rhinitis and asthmatic patients. In skin prick test, Aspergillus sp., contributing a maximum percentage of the total culturable fungi, was found to be an expected potent allergic candidate in both non-asthmatic and asthmatic patients, as well. This study will directly help the inhabitants to avoid the hazardous fungal sensitization in different micro-environments.