Int J Curr Pharm Res, Vol 9, Issue 3, 50-53Original Article


A PILOT INVESTIGATION INTO ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN VARIOUS INDOOR AIRBORNE FUNGAL PARTICLES IN TRIPLICANE PUBLIC TOILET OF CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU

KM. RUBAB ANJUM, K. SIVAKUMARI, K. ASHOK*, S. RAJESH

PG and Research Department of Zoology, Presidency College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Email: msivakumari@rediffmail.com

Received: 28 Dec 2016, Revised and Accepted: 20 Mar 2017

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study and to explore the fungal species present in indoor toilet environment.

Methods: Lactophenol cotton blue staining.

Results: 5 fungi isolates belonging to 5 genus were identified namely Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigates, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus and Rhizopus oryzae.

Conclusion: In order to improve the quality of indoor toilet environment regular cleaning and disinfection should be done daily.

Keywords: Lactophenol cotton blue staining and Aspergillus species

© 2017The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ijcpr.2017v9i3.18891

INTRODUCTION

Fungal are ubiquitous in distribution and are a serious threat to public health in indoor environments [1, 2]. Many fungi that are reported to cause allergy belong to Ascomycota, Basidiomycota or anamorphic fungi. Fungi are able to grow on almost all natural and synthetic materials, especially if they are hygroscopic or wet. Inorganic materials get frequently colonized as they absorb dust and serve as a good growth substrate for Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus versicolor [2].

Wood is highly vulnerable to fungal attack. Cladosporium and Penicillium (Penicillium brevicompactum and Penicillium expansum) are reported to infest wooden building materials. Klin dried wood surfaces are more susceptible to fungi [3]. Acylated wooden furniture, wood polyethylene composites, plywood and modified wood products are susceptible to infestation by Aspergillus, Trichoderma and Penicillium [4].

Exposure to a variety of fungi such as Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. may result in serious respiratory infections in immune-compromised persons [5-9]. People with impaired immune system who spend most of their time in indoor environments contaminated by fungi may develop serious fungal infections [10-11]. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis are disorders among persons potentially infected with Aspergillus [12]. In cystic fibrosis or asthma patients, Aspergillus spp. can develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, invasive or semi-invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary aspergilloma [13].

The fungal syndrome is characterised by the occurrence of unspecific symptoms. The analysis of microbial volatile organic compounds or even the use of specially trained sniffer dogs are some of the methods used to detect hidden mold growth. However, these methods have not been scientifically evaluated. The odour alone perceived by human beings is not reliable enough to detect mold damage. As far as the rehabilitation of the indoor environment is concerned, it has to be pointed out very clearly that microbial damage has to be removed. The extermination of microorganisms is often carried out, but this procedure is not sufficient because of non-viable spores, for example, keep their allergenic potential. The acuteness of the rehabilitation procedures is normally considered according to the extent of the microbial damage. Adverse health effects are supposed to be linked with microbial growth in indoor areas and are mostly related with mold growth. Allergies is a predominant condition which has to be mentioned, followed by toxic alveolitis and reaction like (allergic) bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, as well as the aggravation of asthma. Infections by molds and bacteria are very rare, but persons with an immunodeficiency are especially susceptible to fungal infections.

It has been found that spores of fungi contain fungal toxins (mycotoxins), which are well known from food contaminations. It has however not been confirmed whether these mycotoxins show toxic effects if fungal spores are inhaled. On the whole, the dose relationship between the concentration of microbial particles already mentioned and the adverse health effects described is not very well established.

When sanitary effects are observed, the susceptibility of the individual is very often crucial. In view of this, my objective is to study and to explore the fungal species present in indoor toilet environment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fungal collection

The number and type of fungal species present in Triplicane public toilet were investigated and the study was conducted during the months of June to July 2016. A total of nine samples were collected in duplicate from the different sires of Triplicane public toilet.

Isolation and identification of fungal species

The numbers of fungi present in toilet environment were studied by exposing Sabouraud Dextrose Agar plates for 48 h and after the exposure and collection, the plates were taken to the Microbiology laboratory and incubated at 37 °C for 48 h for 5-7 d for isolating fungi (fig. 1A-J).

Identification of fungi was done using the standard procedures of Cheesbrough (2000) [14]. The fungal cultures were identified by using Lactophenol cotton blue staining and microscopic characteristics [15].

Fig. 1A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) plates after 48 h of incubation in the indoor triplicane public toilet environment


Fig. 2: (A) Single streak image of Aspergillus niger, (B-D) microscopic image of Aspergillus niger at 10 x magnification


Fig. 3: (A) Single streak image of Aspergillus flavus, (B-C) microscopic image of Aspergillus flavus at 10 x magnification


Fig. 4: (A) Single streak image of Aspergillus fumigatus, (B-D) microscopic image of Aspergillus fumigatus at 10 x magnification


Fig. 5: (A) Single streak image of Rhizopus oryzae, (B-D) microscopic image of Rhizopus oryzae at 10 x magnification


Fig. 6: (A) Single streak image of Aspergillus terreus, (B-D) microscopic image of Aspergillus terreus at 10 x magnification

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 5 fungi isolates belonging to 5 genera were identified in this study as shown in fig. 2,3,4,5 and 6. Among them 4 isolates were filamentous fungi namely Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigates, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus terreus and isolate one was Rhizopus oryzae. Since air does not contain any nutrients and has low moisture content it is not condusive to the growth and survival of microorganisms but it can act as an important medium for carrying and spreading of biological agents. The order of prevalence of air microflora is from highest to lowest in the toilet. The reasons for a high percentage of fungi in the toilets are due to the improper and low degree of hygiene and cleanliness because of minimal usage of disinfection procedures against airborne microorganisms which have given rise to bio-contaminants.

However, many fungal spores have the ability to cause allergies as well as other respiratory diseases and hypersensitivity reaction not only in immunosuppressed patients but also in healthy individuals. The fungi belonging to Aspergillus species can cause invasive Aspergillosis and produce mycotoxins which are known to be carcinogens [16]. Other fungal spores also have the ability to cause allergies as well as other respiratory diseases and hypersensitivity reactions not only in immunosuppressed patients but also in healthy individuals [17]. Hence, more attention should be given to safeguard indoor toilet environment otherwise, the growth of pathogenic microorganisms can cause toxigenic health hazards.

CONCLUSION

Indoor toilet environment plays important roles in human health. The health hazards posed by polluted indoor toilet environments include allergy, infections and toxicity. Fungi are ubiquitous in distribution and are a serious threat to public health in indoor toilet environments. In this communication, we have studied the current status on biotic indoor toilet air pollution, the role of fungi as biological contaminants and their impact on human health. In order to improve the quality of indoor toilet environment, regular cleaning and disinfection should be done daily.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are thankful to Dr. P. T. Devarajan, Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Presidency College, Chennai for the identification of isolated fungal species.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

Declare none

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