Browsing by Author "Dias, M."
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- Aspergillus spp. and azole-resistance characterization on filtering respiratory protective devices from waste sorting industryPublication . Viegas, Carla; Dias, M.; Almeida, Beatriz; Gonçalves, P.; Veríssimo, Carla; Sabino, Raquel; Aranha Caetano, LilianaStudies performed on the waste management industry have reported Aspergillus as the most frequent genera on waste-sorting, incineration and composting. Filtering respiratory protective devices (FRPD) are disposable after one-day use (workshift) and their use is mandatory in Portuguese wastesorting industries. During FRPD use, humidity and temperature conditions provide a favorable environment for Aspergillus growth retained. The aim of this study was to characterize Aspergillus spp. presence in FRPD interior layer and exhalation valves, as well as to detect possible azole-resistant isolates in this complex indoor environment.
- Blistering of W-Ta composites at different irradiation energiesPublication . Mateus, R.; Dias, M.; Lopes, J.; Rocha, J.; Catarino, N.; Duarte, P.; Gomes, R. B.; Silva, C.; Fernandes, H.; Livramento, V.; Carvalho, P. A.; Alves, E.; Hanada, K.; Correia, J. B.Pure tungsten and tantalum plates and tungsten-tantalum composites produced via mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering were bombarded with He+ and D+ energetic ion beams and deuterium plasmas. The aim of this experiment is to study the effects caused by individual helium and deuterium exposures and to evidence that the modifications induced in the composites at different irradiation energies could be followed by irradiating the pristine constituent elements under the same experimental conditions, which is relevant considering the development of tailored composites for fusion applications. Higher D retentions, especially in tungsten, and superficial blistering are observed in both components after helium exposure. The blistering is magnified in the tantalum phase of composites due to its higher ductility and to water vapour production under deuterium irradiation. At lower irradiation energies the induced effects are minor. After plasma exposure, the presence of tantalum does not increase the D content in the composites. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Fungal burden in a clinical pathology service of a central hospital in LisbonPublication . Gomes, Anita Q.; Almeida, Beatriz; Lourenço, R.; Dias, M.; Aranha Caetano, Liliana; Viegas, CarlaPurpose: The indoor environment of hospitals is complex and different from any other indoor environment. Mycobiota presence has been reported as a potential cause of hospital infections. This study aims to characterizing fungal burden in one Clinical Pathology Service applying different sampling methods and using both culture and molecular-based approaches.
- Fungal contamination and azole-resistance in tea and other medicinal plants commercially available in PortugalPublication . Simões, A.; Faria, M.; Dias, M.; Viegas, Carla; Caetano, Liliana AranhaIntroduction. Tea and infusions are common beverages worldwide, prepared by infusing Camellia sinensis or other medicinal plants (eg. Melissa officinalis) with boiling water. Contamination by specific strains of filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus sp., may originate health risks. While azole antifungal drugs are first-line therapy against fungal infections, the exposure of medicinal plants to azole fungicides in conventional agriculture can promote azole resistance, leading to therapeutic failure. Considering the growing risks to public health, the fungal contamination of tea and medicinal samples commercially available in Portugal was evaluated. Methodology. Samples (N=40) of different origins of conventional and biological agriculture were collected at supermarkets and herbalist shops in January 2021. Infusions were prepared according to ISO 3103:2019. Samples were also extracted as previously described and inoculated in fungal selective culture media (MEA and DG18) and in Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) medium supplemented with 4 mg/L itraconazole (ITR), 2 mg/L voriconazole (VOR), and 0.5 mg/L posaconazole (POS). Plates were incubated at optimal conditions for fungal growth. Fungal counts were determined as colony forming units (CFU) per gram and fungal morphology was analyzed by microscopy. Results. The average mycobiota was 359.1 ± 816.2 (MEA) and 559.1 ± 1263.8 (DG18) CFU/g in extracted samples, and 341.7 ± 277.2 (MEA) and 183.3 ± 271.6 (DG18) CFU/g in infusions. Regarding azole resistance, the most prevalent species were Aspergillus sp. (48% ITR) and C. sitophila (39% ITR, 47% VOR, 92% POS) in extracted samples, and C. sitophila (50% ITR, 37% VOR, 57% POS) in infusion samples. Among Aspergillus sp., the most prevalent sections were Nigri (96% MEA, 74% DG18, 72% SDA) and Circumdati (100% ITR) in extracted samples, and Fumigati (46% MEA, 100% SDA) in infusion. Conclusions. Fungal contaminants were present in tea samples and medicinal plants for infusion, including azole-resistant fungi. Relevance. The presence of Aspergillus sp., particularly section Fumigati, resistant to azoles in infusions may represent a health risk for consumers, especially immunocompromised individuals. Mycotoxins detection and correlational statistical analysis are ongoing to further determine whether there is a relation between sample origin, fungal contamination, and mycotoxigenic profile.
- Surveillance of mucorales resistance to azoles in the waste sorting industry: assessment of filtering respiratory protective devices and glovesPublication . Aranha Caetano, Liliana; Dias, M.; Almeida, Beatriz; Viegas, CarlaThe use of filtering respiratory protective devices (FRPD) and gloves is mandatory in the waste-sorting industry in Portugal as preventive of workers’ exposure to bioaerosols, including fungi. Mucorales order includes a large number of ubiquitous saprophytes species that can cause severe infections, such as mucormycosis, which is associated with a great deal of morbidity. The emergence of resistance to azoles among fungal species, including Mucorales, in the environmental challenges the management of severe fungal infections. The aim of this study was to assess the Mucorales burden retained by filtering respiratory protective devices (FRPD) (interior layer and exhalation valves) and present in gloves used in the waste sorting industry and to screen the resistance of Mucorales to azole-drugs in this occupational environment.
- Waste-sorting industry: an (un)assessed occupational environmentPublication . Viegas, Carla; Almeida, Beatriz; Dias, M.; Gomes, Anita Q.; Viegas, Susana