Amoebae and other protozoa in material samples from moisture-damaged buildings

Mold growth in buildings has been shown to be associated with adverse health effects. The fungal and bacterial growth on moistened building materials has been studied, but little attention has been paid to the other organisms spawning in the damaged materials. We examined moist building materials fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental research 2004-11, Vol.96 (3), p.250-256
Main Authors: Yli-Pirilä, Terhi, Kusnetsov, Jaana, Haatainen, Susanna, Hänninen, Marja, Jalava, Pasi, Reiman, Marjut, Seuri, Markku, Hirvonen, Maija-Riitta, Nevalainen, Aino
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acremonium
Amoeba - growth & development
Amoeba - isolation & purification
Amoeba - microbiology
Amoebae
Animals
Aspergillus versicolor
Bacteria
Biological and medical sciences
Chaetomium
Construction Materials
Environmental Health
Environmental Monitoring
Eukaryota - growth & development
Eukaryota - isolation & purification
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fungi
Humans
Microbiology
Moisture-damaged buildings
Mycology
Pathogenicity, host-agent relations, miscellaneous strains, epidemiology
Protozoa
Risk Assessment
Trichoderma
Water
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Summary:Mold growth in buildings has been shown to be associated with adverse health effects. The fungal and bacterial growth on moistened building materials has been studied, but little attention has been paid to the other organisms spawning in the damaged materials. We examined moist building materials for protozoa, concentrating on amoebae. Material samples (n=124) from moisture-damaged buildings were analyzed for amoebae, fungi, and bacteria. Amoebae were detected in 22% of the samples, and they were found to favor cooccurrence with bacteria and the fungi Acremonium spp., Aspergillus versicolor, Chaetomium spp., and Trichoderma spp. In addition, 11 seriously damaged samples were screened for other protozoa. Ciliates and flagellates were found in almost every sample analyzed. Amoebae are known to host pathogenic bacteria, such as chlamydiae, legionellae, and mycobacteria and they may have a role in the complex of exposure that contributes to the health effects associated with moisture damage in buildings.
ISSN:0013-9351
1096-0953
DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2003.12.004