Comparative performance of two air samplers for monitoring airborne fungal propagules

Many studies have attempted to evaluate the importance of airborne fungi in the development of invasive fungal infection, especially for immunocompromised hosts. Several kinds of instruments are available to quantitate fungal propagule levels in air. We compared the performance of the most frequentl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brazilian journal of medical and biological research 2003-05, Vol.36 (5), p.613-616
Main Authors: Távora, L G F, Gambale, W, Heins-Vaccari, E M, Arriagada, G L H, Lacaz, C S, Santos, C R, Levin, A S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Microbiology
Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis
Air sampler
Andersen sampler
BIOLOGY
Centrifugation - instrumentation
Environmental Monitoring - instrumentation
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Filtration - instrumentation
Fungal contamination
Fungi - classification
Fungi - isolation & purification
Hospital air
Hospitals
Humans
Indoor air
MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL
Reuter centrifugal sampler
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Summary:Many studies have attempted to evaluate the importance of airborne fungi in the development of invasive fungal infection, especially for immunocompromised hosts. Several kinds of instruments are available to quantitate fungal propagule levels in air. We compared the performance of the most frequently used air sampler, the Andersen sampler with six stages, with a portable one, the Reuter centrifugal sampler (RCS). A total of 84 samples were analyzed, 42 with each sampler. Twenty-eight different fungal genera were identified in samples analyzed with the Andersen instrument. In samples obtained with the RCS only seven different fungal genera were identified. The three most frequently isolated genera in samples analyzed with both devices were Penicillium, Aspergillus and Cladophialophora. In areas supplied with a high efficiency particulate air filter, fungal spore levels were usually lower when compared to areas without these filters. There was a significant correlation between total fungal propagule measurements taken with both devices on each sampling occasion (Pearson coefficient = 0.50). However, the Andersen device recovered a broader spectrum of fungi. We conclude that the RCS can be used for quantitative estimates of airborne microbiological concentrations. For qualitative studies, however, this device cannot be recommended.
ISSN:0100-879X
1414-431X
0100-879X
1414-431X
DOI:10.1590/S0100-879X2003000500008