Environmental Mycology in Public Health: Fungi and Mycotoxins Risk Assessment and Management provides the most updated information on fungi, an essential element in the survival of our global ecology that can also pose a significant threat to the health of occupants when they are present in buildings.
As the exposure to fungi in homes is a significant risk factor for a number of respiratory symptoms, including allergies and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Environmental Mycology in Public Health presents information on fungi and their disease agents, important aspects of exposure assessment, and their impacts on health.
Environmental Mycology in Public Health answers the hard questions, including, "How does one detect and measure the presence of indoor fungi?" and "What is an acceptable level of indoor fungi?" It then examines how we relate this information to human health problems.
Dedication
Foreword
Part I. Fungal Specificities in Environmental Mycology
Section I. General Fungal Characteristics
Chapter 1. Cellular Constitution, Water and Nutritional Needs, and Secondary Metabolites
Fungal Structures
Growth Conditions
Fungal Metabolites
Chapter 2. Dispersion Forms
Section II. Outline of Fungal Pathologies
Chapter 3. Fungal Infections
Superficial Fungal Infections
Subcutaneous Infections
Invasive Fungal Infections
Chapter 4. Allergic Response to Fungal Exposure
Allergic Disease and Fungal Sensitization
Immune Response and Hypersensitivity to Fungal Exposure
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis
Asthma
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis
Atopic Dermatitis
Other Diseases
Diagnosis of Fungal-Related Allergic Diseases
Treatment
Chapter 5. Mycotoxicoses
Aflatoxins
Fumonisins
Ochratoxins
Zearalenone
Trichothecenes
Section III
Chapter 6. Risk Groups for Acquiring Fungal Infections
Part II. Environmental Mycology in Public Health
Section I
Chapter 7. Pathways and Routes of Natural Exposure to Fungal Infection
Exposure Pathways and Routes of Infection in Humans
Dermatophytosis
Superficial Candidosis
Mycotic Keratitis
Otomycosis
Aspergillosis
Systemic Candidosis
Cryptococcosis
Mucormycosis
Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia
Blastomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis
Histoplasmosis
Paracoccidioidomycosis
Chromoblastomycosis
Entomophthoromycosis
Mycetoma
Sporotrichosis
Phaeohyphomycosis
Hyalohyphomycosis
Inhalational Models of Infection
Mucosal Models of Infection
Direct Infection
Conclusions
Section II. Occupational Settings
Chapter 8. Highly Contaminated Workplaces
Introduction
Fungal Aerosols in Animal Confinement Buildings
Fungal Aerosols in Sawmills
Fungal Aerosols in Waste Sectors
Fungal Aerosols in the Food Industry
Fungal Aerosols during Plant and Grain Handling
Conclusions
Chapter 9. Fungi in Low-contamination Occupational Environments
Introduction
Measurement Aspects
Fungal Species in Indoor Environments
General Aspects of Fungal Contamination
Essential Sources of Indoor Fungi
Role of Ventilation in Fungal Contamination of Indoor Spaces
Carpets
Fungal Growth due to Moisture or Dampness
General Observations on the Data from Low-contamination Environments
Offices
Schools and Day Care Centers
Hospitals and Institutions
Other Locations
Experiences from Interventions
Application of Guidance Reference Values for Fungal Contamination
Importance of Indoor Environmental Investigations in Public Health
Section III. Nonoccupational Exposure
Chapter 10. Domestic Environment
Preventive Measures
Collaborators
Chapter 11. Urban Environment
Introduction
Cryptococcosis
Sporotrichosis
Chapter 12. Urban Settings
Chapter 13. Recreational Environment
Introduction
Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment
Discussion/Conclusions
Recommendations
Chapter 14. Hospital Environment
Contamination Sources
Threshold Values Used to Evaluate Microbiological Contamination in the Hospital Environment
When Should a Hospital Environmental Analysis be Performed?
Section IV
Chapter 15. Fungal Disease Outbreaks and Natural Disasters
Introduction
Fungal Diseases after Natural Disasters
Outbreaks Caused by Dimorphic Fungi
Outbreaks Caused by Molds
Conclusion
Disclaimer
Part III. Fungi and Metabolites
Chapter 16. Dietary Exposure Assessment of European Population to Mycotoxins: A Review
Introduction
Exposure Assessment Methodology
Exposure Assessment of European Population
Conclusion and Future Needs
Chapter 17. Mycotoxins as Food Carcinogens
Mycotoxins Contaminating Food
Tolerable Daily Intakes and Maximum Levels in Foodstuffs
Carcinogenic Risk to Humans: IARC and NTP Classifications
Aflatoxin B1: Genotoxic Carcinogen
Ochratoxin A: Long Genotoxic–Epigenetic Dilemma
Chapter 18. Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Indoor Environments
Introduction and Scope
Mycotoxins in Building Materials, Dust, and Air from Indoor Environments
Mycotoxins in the Context of Moisture Damage
Summary, Concluding Remarks, Future Challenges
Chapter 19. Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins and Preventive Measures
Characteristics of Occupational Mycotoxin Exposure
Indications of Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Occupational Settings
Airborne Concentration, Duration, and Frequency as Criteria for Occupational Mycotoxin Exposure
Assessment Strategies
Prevention
Chapter 20. Mycotoxins: Genotoxicity Studies and Methodologies
Introduction
Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus Assay
Micronucleus
Nucleoplasmic Bridges
Nuclear Buds
Assessing Genotoxic Effects of Mycotoxins by CBMN
Comet Assay
Assessing Genotoxic Effects of Mycotoxins by Comet Assay
Chapter 21. Mycotoxin Analytical Methods
Extraction and Analytical Techniques
Food and Feed of Cereal Origin
Other Food Matrices
Separation Techniques for Identification and Determination of Mycotoxins
Immunoassay and Other Methods
Environmental Samples
Chapter 22. Indoor Microbial Volatile Organic Compound (MVOC) Levels and Associations with Respiratory Health, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), and Allergy
Introduction
Measurement and Analysis of MVOC
MVOC Levels in Indoor and Occupational Environments
MVOCs in Indoor Environment as Indicator of Hidden Microbial Growth
Health Effect and Sick Building Syndrome
Conclusions
Part IV. Methods in Environmental Mycology
Section I. Environmental Sampling
Chapter 23. Air, Surface and Water Sampling
Introduction
Passive Methods
Active Methods
Strategy
Surface Sampling
Water Sampling
Section II
Chapter 24. Sand and Soil Sampling
Chapter 25. Processing Methodologies
Microscopy
Classical Culturing Methods
Biochemical Methods
Immunological Assays
Molecular Biology Approaches
Chapter 26. Molecular Approaches to Detect and Identify Fungal Agents in Various Environmental Settings
Index
Carla Viegas graduated in Environmental Health from Lisbon School of Health Technology - Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon and has a Master degree in Safety and Ergonomics from Lisbon University and PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health from New University of Lisbon. The author's major field of study is occupational and environmental mycology leading and participating in several projects about both areas of expertise. Special interest are occupational exposure to fungi in highly contaminated settings and complementarity of conventional methods and molecular tools to assess fungi occupational exposure with several articles published or in press. Professor at Lisbon School of Health Technology, Director of the Occupational Health Master's course and researcher at Environment and Health Research Group.
Catarina Pinheiro has a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Lisbon, a degree in Conservation and Restoration from the New University of Lisbon and a PhD on Conservation Science from the New University of Lisbon. The focus of the current project is the fungal contamination in Archives and how this environment can affect both the people and the historic documents deposited at these premises. Particular interests are fungal microbiology, indoor air quality, occupational exposure to fungi and risk analysis with several articles published or in press. Has also teaching experience, both in the Pharmacy field and in Cultural Heritage and related thematics.
Raquel Sabino graduated in Biology - Microbiology and Genetics by the University of Lisbon and PhD in Biology by Minho University. Specialized in clinical and environmental mycology, has been conducting research in these two areas of expertise. Professor in postgraduate courses covering these areas and also in environmental microbiology. Presently conducting research at the Portuguese Institute of Health and in California Institute of Medical Research / Stanford University in Aspergillus molecular epidemiology. Specialization domains are molecular epidemiology of Candida and Aspergillus, studies in clinical and environmental fungal isolates, regarding virulence and antifungal susceptibility pattern and related environmental health problems. One main interest of the author is also the nosocomial fungal infections. The author participated in several national and international projects and has several publications / communications in the referred areas of specialization.
Susana Viegas graduated in Environmental Health from Lisbon School of Health Technology - Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon has a Master degree in Safety and Ergonomics from Lisbon University and PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health from New University of Lisbon. The principal research topics of this author are chemical occupational exposures and indoor air quality. Director and Professor of Environmental Health Graduate Course of Lisbon School of Health Technology and Coordinator of Environment and Health Research Group. Published mostly on occupational and environmental exposure to chemical agents and nowadays developing research about occupational exposures to mycotoxins in different settings.
João Brandão graduated in Chemistry/Biotechnology, specialized in clinical mycology and environmental research work. Has been conducting research in these two areas of expertise, which also lectured at Lus fona University during 4 years (Genetics and Microbiology). Currently - staff of the National Institute of Health, Internal auditor for ISO 17025, and national delegate of the Portuguese Association of Medical Mycology to the European Confederation of Medical Mycology. Particular interest in sand microbiological quality as a biological reservoir of pathogens for recreational users. Has been busy with this subject for 11 years. Leading a monitoring sand programme promoted by the local Blue Flag organization until 2010. Leading R&D project on alternative methods to those currently used. Also very interested in nosocomial and endemic fungal infections as well as prevention and early molecular detection.
Cristina Veríssimo graduated in Biology from the University of Lisbon, specialized in environmental and clinical mycology. Has a masters degree in Human Biology and Environment on invasive aspergillosis. One of the pioneers in this area, the author participated in several national and international projects within environmental mycology, particularly in the project for monitoring the microbiological quality of the sands supported by the Portuguese Blue Flag association (ABAE) and in the ICREW European project financed by Interreg IIIB. Author of several publications in clinical and environmental mycology. Head of the Mycology Laboratory at the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge.