Fungal Microbiota in air conditioning system automobiles

Abstract

Fungi are eukaryotic beings; cosmopolitan can be found to external and internal environments. They can be propagated in different ways, like through air named anemophilic fungi. Their pathogenic, toxigenic and allergenic potential, may be associated with allergic diseases such as rhinitis, sinusitis and cancer, due mycotoxins presence. Fungal Bioaerosols are found in air conditioners in various environments, like passenger and utility vehicles used daily, however the lack maintenance of these equipment can cause health problems for their occupants. The objective of this study was to evaluate fungi biological diversity in automobile air conditioning filters, for pathogenic possibility, toxigenic and allergenic concentrations. For this purpose, 30 car filters were collected from dealerships stores during vehicle maintenance in Maceió. The filters collected from cars were measured, cut and placed in a Falcon tube with distilled water, autoclaved, placed in a centrifuge at 7000 rotations per minute (rpm), plated on mix agar Sabouraud dextrose and placed an oven at 28º C for approximately seven days. After fungi grew, the colony forming units (CFU) were counted, followed by isolation in interest colonies, using technique central culture. Taxonomic keys species identification, were based on morphological characteristics. 11 species of fungi were identified, which could be potentially pathogenic and toxigenic, but tests carried out with coconut agar were 100% negative for mycotoxins presence. After filters analyses, the most frequent genera anemophilic fungi were Paecilomyces spp. (80%), Acremonium spp. (56.7%) and Cladosporium spp. (40%). It is important periodic maintenance on automobile air conditioning filters against potentially growth of pathogenic and toxigenic fungi. growth of pathogenic and toxigenic fungi.