Published in

MDPI, Atmosphere, 1(12), p. 23, 2020

DOI: 10.3390/atmos12010023

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Culture Media and Sampling Collection Method for Aspergillus spp. Assessment: Tackling the Gap between Recommendations and the Scientific Evidence

Journal article published in 2020 by Carla Viegas ORCID, Marta Dias, Elisabete Carolino ORCID, Raquel Sabino ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Published version: archiving allowed
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Culturing is still the most widely used method for determining fungal growth. Thus, is important to identify the most suitable culture media to assess Aspergillus spp. The aim of this study was to analyze data obtained from previous studies, aiming at identifying the most suitable culture media (malt extract agar (MEA) or dichloran-glycerol agar (DG18) to assess Aspergillus spp. isolation and growth. This study was conducted by using environmental samples (n = 1153). Most of the active sampling methods (air samples) were impacted directly onto both culture media. As for passive sampling methods, fungi were extracted from environmental matrices inoculated onto both media. Overall, total Aspergillus counts were higher in MEA (n = 617, 53.5%) than in DG18 (n = 536, 46.5%). Regarding Aspergillus sections, significant associations were detected with the media (χ2 (7) = 241.118, p < 0.001), the sampling approach (p < 0.001, 95% CI = (0.3 × 10−4), and the indoor environment (p < 0.001, 95% CI = (0.3 × 10−4)). As such, sampling approach and the culture media should be accurately selected when dealing with Aspergillus spp. exposure assessment.