Analysis of the Diversity and Presence of Anemophilic Fungi in the Urban Area of Rio das Ostras, RJ, Brazil, and Their Potential Health Risks
Keywords:
Air quality, Anemophilic fungi, Public health, Environmental analysis, MicrobiologyAbstract
Anemophilic fungi (dispersed through the air) are a significant biological component of the urban environment, being relevant due to their participation in the degradation of organic matter and, mainly, their ability to induce allergies and human infections. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the diversity and presence of these microorganisms in the atmospheric air of the urban area of Rio das Ostras, RJ, correlating their identification with the environmental characteristics of the collection points and their potential risks to public health. The research used the method of exposure of Petri dishes containing Sabouraud Dextrose (BDA) agar in four different locations. Microbiological analysis revealed the presence of several fungal genera of high clinical and environmental relevance, highlighting the pathogenic and opportunistic ones, such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Acremonium, Paecilomyces and Curvularia. The identification of these microorganisms is strongly associated with environmental factors favorable to the dispersion of spores, such as moisture and proximity to organic matter (garbage). It is concluded that the study provides unprecedented subsidies on the potential microbiological risk of air in Rio das Ostras, being a crucial tool for environmental monitoring and the development of public health policies in the municipality.
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