ABSTRACT
The air in many outdoor environments
also contains spores; however, the park outdoors environments may lead to
spread the pathogenic fungi spores among parkized patients. The aim of this
study was to isolate and identify the airborne pathogenic fungi from the
Outdoor environment at Dhamar governorate, Yemen. The study was conducted in
four outdoor of government, which was included; Park A, Park B, Park C and Park
D. A total of 48 air samples was collected from different departments of these
Outdoor. By using sterile petri dishes contains sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA)
media with 50µg/L of Cychlohexamide as anti- microbial, to prevent growth of
saprophytic fungi and some bacteria. These petri dishes were left open for 6
hours. All samples labeled properly and brought to a laboratory for examination
and processing according to standard microbiological techniques. The results
had revealed that, 34 pathogenic and opportunistic fungi were isolated from
Four Outdoor at Dhamar governorate. These isolates were distributed in Park A
35% (12/34), Park 21% (7/34) B, Park 18% (6/34) C and Park D 26% (9/34). These
airborne pathogenic fungi included 8 fungal genera: Trichophyton, Cladosporium,
Chryosporium, Mortierella, Paecilomyces, Aspergillus Rhizopus and Penicillinum
spp.. Overall the result, only 6 (18%) isolates were identified as pathogenic
fungi at all Dhamar Park while the rest 28 isolates were identified as
opportunistic fungi at all Dhamar governorates outdoor. In conclusion, more
hygienic practices and continuous checking of nosocomial pathogen should be
taken under consideration.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the study
Fungi
are the plural of the word fungus which is derived from the Latin word fungour
which means to flourish. The word was primarily used with reference to
mushrooms which develop overnight. Fungi include nucleated spore bearing
achlorophylous organisms that generally reproduce sexually and filamentous
branched somatic structures are typically surrounded by cell wall, containing
cellulose or chitin or both (Alexopoulos, 2000).
Fungi
are chlorophyll-less non- vascular plants, theyinclude nucleated spore bearing
achlorophylous organism that generally reproduce sexually and filamentous
branched somatic structure typically surrounded by cell wall, containing
cellulose or chitin or broth (Alexopoulos, 2000). According to Deacon (2008)
fungi are heterotrophic organism possessing a chitinous cell wall: The majority
of species grow as multicellular filament called hyphae forming a mycelium;
some fungal species also grow as single cells, sexual and a sexual reproduction
of fungi is commonly via spores, often produced on specialized structures or in
fruiting bodies.
Fungi
are an important component of the ecosystem, they are essential for the
recycling of mineral and carbon by the decomposition of organic debris and
waste. It has been estimated that fungi recycle millions of tons of organic
waste annually (Davis et al., 2002). Life for other types of organisms would
come to a virtual halt without the activity of fungi. In addition, mushroom and
other fleshy fungi are a source of nutrition for many animals, including human.
However many plants and animals disease are fungal (Moor-Landeeker, 2005).
Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually and both methods result in the
production of spore. The life cycles of fungi involved both sexual and asexual
stages. The asexual spores are referred to as the anamorph, while the sexual
spores and their associated reproductive structure are called the teleomorph.
The spores from these two stages of life cycle can be morphologically
dissimilar. The teleomorph spores (sexual produced) are classified according to
the sexual structure in which the spores develop. Many complex fungi produce
multicellular reproductive bodies a sporocarp. A familiar example of a
sporocarp is the gilled mushroom, which is specialized to produce and discharge
the spores resulting from sexual reproduction (Davis et al., 2002). The
anamorph spores are grouped together into the fungi imperfecti group, also
referred to as the form, division Deuteromycota (Moore-Landecker, 2005). Fungal
spores occur in a great number in outdoor air and as estimated by Kendrick
(2000) that, there are over 100,000 fungi whose spores may become airborne,
many parameters influence airborne fungal spore concentrations. These include
geographic, meteorological and human factors. Generally, these are lower
airborne concentration in large towns and cities. When compared to rural and
semi rural sites (Davis et al., 2002).
Statement of problem
The
Outdoor environment is highlighted as potential reservoir for many air-born
pathogens which include bacteria and Fungi. Fungi and bacteria are the major
types of microorganisms presents in the Outdoor environment. The main sources
of the Outdoor contaminations are: air, dust, visitors, patients and weather
(Beggs, 2003). The free living fungi cause many dreadful diseases through
dissemination of fungal spores which will enter into the host by inhalation or
injury. Some fungi cause diseases by secreting fungal toxins also called
Mycotoxins (Barron, 1968). The Mycoses are generally chronic diseases because fungi
grow slowly. Mycotic diseases (Mycoses) are classified into five groups
according to the degree of tissue involvement and mode of entry into 5 groups:
superficial, cutaneous, sub-cutaneous, systemic and opportunistic Mycoses
(Tortora et al., 2007). Fungi are very close to human and animals because all
are eukaryotic organisms, and its structures and metabolism look like its
hosts. Consequently, drugs that affect on fungal cells may also affect on its
host human and animal cells. This fact makes fungal infections of human and
other animals often difficult to treat. The damage of these fungi is due to
their products of toxins and enzymes which are leads to invasion the tissues
causing hypersensitivity (Cauwenbergh, 1985). Dermatophytes sometimes also called
keratinophilic fungi, those fungi which has ability to destroy the keratin
layer of the skin of human and animals by enzymatic products (Prescott et al.,
1993).
Objective of the study
The
aims of the present study were to isolate and identify the air borne pathogenic
fungi from the Outdoorenvironment of calabar metropolis. The study will also
assess the air quality of the selected areas, and also to determine the
concentration of fungal spores present as well as their economic importance to
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
I
perceived that at the completion of this study, the findings may be useful to:
1. The
government in their policy formulation and implementation
2. The
federal ministry of environment in combating the menace of fungi and air
pollution
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