Study on the Seasonal Distribution of Fungi in the Environment, Their Effect on Human and Animal Health and Sensitivity to Antifungal Agent.

Abstract

Fungi are among the most important aeroallergens. The major allergic diseases induced by fungi are asthema, rhinitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonia. The concentration of airborne fungal spores has been linked to wind, humidity, temperature, rainfall, altitude, vegetation and various specific reservoirs of contamination (TOPBAS et al., 2005). The aim of this study was to provide aeromycological baseline information for the first time about some areas in 6th October governorate (previously), Egypt (Monshat El Kanater, Embaba, El Ayat, Oceem Abo rawash, 6 th October city and El wahat), 104 air samples were collected from the aforementioned locations (56 outdoor and 48 indoor) during four year seasons from December 2009 to December 2010 and subjected for mycological study. The investigated areas are characterized by high populations, human activities including agriculture, trades, industry and animals grazing. Mycoaerospora samples were cultivated by gravitational method. Outdoor air samples revealed the isolation of 14 genera of fungi belonged to 19 species. The predominant fungi were Asperigillus niger (4.41%) Asperigillus flavus (3.68%) and Cladosporium cladosporiodes (3.68%) in falls season, Asperigillus niger (2.94%) in winter, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (2.94%) in spring and Asperigillus flavus (3.68 %) in summer. Indoor air samples revealed the isolation of 19 genera of fungi included 20 species. The predominant fungi were Asperigillus niger (6.02%) in fall and spring, Asperigillus niger, C. cladosporiodes and Mucor recemosis (3.61%) in winter, Asperigillus niger and C. cladosporiodes (3.61%) in summer.