Filamentous fungi vectored by ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a public hospital in north-eastern Brazil

Summary Background The increase in opportunistic fungal infections has led to the search for putative sources of contamination in hospital environments. Aim Ants in a public hospital in Itabuna, north-eastern Brazil were examined for carriage of filamentous fungi. Methods During a year-long survey,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of hospital infection 2013-03, Vol.83 (3), p.200-204
Main Authors: Aquino, R.S.S, Silveira, S.S, Pessoa, W.F.B, Rodrigues, A, Andrioli, J.L, Delabie, J.H.C, Fontana, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Ants - microbiology
Biological and medical sciences
Brazil
Formicidae
Fungi
Fungi - classification
Fungi - isolation & purification
General aspects
Hospitals, Public
Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models
Hymenoptera
Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases
Insect Vectors
Medical sciences
Nosocomial infection
Public health
Urban ant
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Summary:Summary Background The increase in opportunistic fungal infections has led to the search for putative sources of contamination in hospital environments. Aim Ants in a public hospital in Itabuna, north-eastern Brazil were examined for carriage of filamentous fungi. Methods During a year-long survey, ants from different hospital areas were sampled. Preference was given to locations where it was possible to observe ants actively foraging. The fungi found on the ants' integument were cultured and identified. Findings A total of 106 ant workers belonging to 12 species in 11 genera were collected. A total of 47 fungal strains was isolated from 40% of the ants ( N  = 42). We found 16 fungal species in 13 genera associated with the ant workers. The prevalent fungal genera were Aspergillus , Purpureocillium and Fusarium . The ants Tapinoma melanocephalum , Paratrechina longicornis and Pheidole megacephala were associated with six fungal genera; and four genera of fungi were associated with Solenopsis saevissima workers. Fungal diversity was higher in the following hospital areas: nursery, hospital beds, breastmilk bank and paediatrics. Conclusion Ants act as carriers of soil and airborne fungal species, and ant control in hospital areas is necessary to prevent the dissemination of such micro-organisms.
ISSN:0195-6701
1532-2939
DOI:10.1016/j.jhin.2012.11.022