MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Insights into Persian Gulf Beach Sand Mycobiomes: Promises and Challenges in Fungal Diversity

Summary

Researchers studied fungi found in sand and water at beaches along Iran’s Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman coastlines. They discovered high levels of potentially harmful fungi, particularly Aspergillus terreus, which can cause respiratory infections. The study found that while some antifungal drugs like voriconazole were effective, some fungi showed resistance to common treatments. This information is important for protecting swimmers and beach visitors from fungal health risks.

Background

Beach sand mycobiomes represent an underexplored area of environmental microbiology with potential implications for human health. The Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman coastlines span 2250 km and are major recreational areas in Iran, yet fungal contamination data from these regions remains limited. This study addresses the gap in knowledge about fungal diversity in these strategically important coastal environments.

Objective

This research aimed to assess the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility profiles of fungal species recovered from beaches of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman during the bathing season.

Results

Of 222 recovered isolates, 206 (92.8%) were filamentous fungi and 16 (7.2%) were yeasts. DNA sequencing identified 13 genera and 26 species, with Aspergillus comprising 68.9% of isolates (predominantly A. terreus at 26.14%). Voriconazole demonstrated the highest efficacy against Aspergillus species. Fungal loads exceeded recommended safety thresholds at all beaches.

Conclusion

The study documents high fungal contamination in Persian Gulf and Oman Sea beaches, with Aspergillus terreus as the predominant pathogenic species. Standardized sanitation programs and regulatory frameworks are needed to reduce fungal health risks. Further research on mycobiome ecology and human infection relationships is warranted.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Environmental Microbiology Survey,
  • Source: PMID: 40863506, DOI: 10.3390/jof11080554
Scroll to Top