MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Genetic sequencing of the airborne fungal spectrum and air quality at a public hospital in Mexico City

Summary

Researchers tested the air inside and outside a Mexico City hospital to identify harmful fungi that could make patients sick. Using two different sampling methods, they found 27 different fungal species, including dangerous ones like Aspergillus fumigatus that cause serious infections especially in people with weakened immune systems. The study shows that hospitals need better air monitoring systems to protect vulnerable patients from these airborne infections.

Background

Hospital bioaerosols represent significant risks for nosocomial infections and adverse health effects. Airborne fungal spores and propagules can trigger immune system dysfunction and respiratory diseases, particularly in vulnerable patients. Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and ventilation influence fungal diversity in hospital settings.

Objective

To evaluate the airborne fungal community composition in a public hospital in Mexico City using metagenomic approaches with two different aerobiological samplers. The study also assessed temperature, humidity, and suspended particle concentrations to understand the context of bioaerosol health impacts.

Results

The CμS-Sampler captured higher fungal abundance and diversity than AVPS, with total genus-level annotations of 626 (F1) and 632 (F2) compared to lower AVPS values. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were dominant phyla with varying proportions between samplers. Twenty-seven fungal species were identified, including opportunistic pathogens such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Cladosporium.

Conclusion

The complementary use of different aerobiological samplers significantly optimizes fungal surveillance methods in hospital environments. The identified fungal diversity, particularly opportunistic pathogens, underscores the importance of continuous environmental monitoring. Results highlight the need for effective control measures to mitigate nosocomial infection risks from airborne fungi.
  • Published in:PLOS Global Public Health,
  • Study Type:Observational Environmental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40554566, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004784
Scroll to Top