Isolation of filamentous fungi from water used in a hemodialysis unit

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 2007-05, Vol.40 (3), p.326
• Main Authors: Varo, Samuel Dutra, Martins, Carlos Henrique Gomes, Cardoso, Miguel Jorge de Oliveira, Sartori, Flávio Garcia, Montanari, Lílian Bueno, Pires-Gonçalves, Regina Helena
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: Colony Count, Microbial; Fungi - classification; Fungi - isolation & purification; Hemodialysis Solutions - analysis; Humans; Membrane filtration; Microorganisms; Water distribution; Water Microbiology; Water pollution; Water Supply
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849
• DOI: 10.1590/S0037-86822007000300015

Despite the relative frequency of opportunistic fungal infections among hemodialysis patients, the reservoirs for these microorganisms in the environment remain unknown, although some recent studies have made correlations with the water supply as their source. The objective of the present study was to monitor the mycological quality of the water system of a hemodialysis unit in the interior of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, over the period from April to July 2006. Fifteen samples of 1000 ml were collected from seven water distribution points using the membrane filtration technique (0.45 microm). A total of 116 filamentous fungus specimens were isolated, including 47 Trichoderma sp (40.5%), 29 Cladosporium sp (25%), 16 Aspergillus sp (13.8%) and 11 Fusarium sp (9.5%). The results suggest that the water supply for hemodialysis units should also be monitored for mycological contamination, and that effective prophylactic measures should be adopted for minimizing the exposure of these immunodeficient patients to contaminated water sources in the environment.