Fungal microbiota from indoor air of a Child Development Center in an arid zone

Abstract

Child Development Centers aim to provide multidisciplinary care for the population of children, a sector particularly susceptible to respiratory diseases due to the presence of fungal microorganisms that are dispersed by air currents in the spaces where users are. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to evaluate the fungal concentration of the indoor air of the Child Development Center of the University of Sonora, identify the taxonomy of the isolates and describe the possible pathogenicity for human health. From May 2 to May 27, 89 samples were taken from 17 places where minors are present and from a control point. Static samplings were carried out at a height of one meter, using SAS SUPER 100 equipment and sedimentation on Petri dishes with Agar Sabouraud culture medium. By the imprint technique, 14 fungal genera were identified. Among the predominant ones are Cladosporium spp., Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., with 31%, 26% and 16%, respectively. The highest fungal concentration detected was 53 CFU/m³, a value lower than considered dangerous due to indoor air pollution by various government institutions around the world. However, species of clinical interest of the genus Aspergillus were identified, with A. niger predominant in all the sites, followed by A. ochraceus, A. flavus, A. versicolor and A. fumigatus.