Percorrer por autor "Gomes, Bianca"
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- Are in vitro cytotoxicity assessments of environmental samples useful for characterizing the risk of exposure to multiple contaminants at the workplace? A systematic reviewPublication . Viegas, Carla; Pena, Pedro; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, SusanaIn some occupational environments, risk characterization is challenging or impossible to achieve due to the presence of multiple pollutants and contaminants. Thus, in vitro testing using the most relevant cell lines will provide information concerning health effects due to the co-exposure to multiple stressors. The aim of this review article is to identify studies where the cytotoxicity assessment was performed in environmental samples, as well as to describe the main outputs and challenges regarding risk characterization and management. This study is based on a study of the available information/data on cytotoxicity assessment performed on environmental samples following the PRISMA methodology. Different cell lines were used depending on the environment assessed and exposure routes implicated. The A549 alveolar epithelial cell line was applied in four studies for occupational exposure in the waste sorting industry and for outdoor environments; lymphocytes were used in two studies for occupational and outdoor environments; swine kidney cells were used in three studies performed in the waste industry and hepatocellular/Hep G2 in one study in the waste industry. Cytotoxicity assessments in environmental samples should have a more prominent role due to their contribution to identifying and better understanding the associations between co-exposure to environmental contaminants and adverse human health effects as a prioritization for risk management.
- Are we neglecting the importance of azole resistance screening in indoor air quality assessments?Publication . Viegas, Carla; Almeida, Beatriz; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Caetano, Liliana AranhaIntroduction: The microbial exposure, as well as their metabolic products, has been frequently reported as a high risk of respiratory effects and general health hazards. Regarding the Portuguese legislation for IAQ, the microbial assessment covers only air sampling and culture-based methods (malt extract agar as only culture media to be applied). Fungal legal criteria consist of a fungal load ratio between indoor and outdoor, which should be lower than 1 (I/O<1). Purpose: Analyze the importance of including the characterization of the azole resistance profile in indoor air quality assessments.
- Aspergillus distribution on waste collection trucksPublication . Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Gomes, Bianca; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, CarlaIntroduction: While better waste management is viewed as a critical contributor to reducing health outcomes and harmful environmental impacts, microbiological occupational exposure in the waste management industry is often overlooked, resulting in detrimental health effects on employees. Some waste workers, such as garbage collectors and truck drivers transporting the residential waste, spend part of their shift in a truck cabin and part of it in a workplace where organic materials are processed. The aim of this study was to investigate the Aspergillus spp. contamination present in 32 waste collection trucks (WCT).
- Aspergillus fumigatus exposure through a qualitative microbial risk assessment in the poultry industryPublication . Gomes, Bianca; Carolino, Elisabete; Viegas, CarlaCurrently, the prevalent airborne microorganisms in animal production facilities are poorly described in terms of quantity, composition, and risk category. Few studies have already evidence of Aspergillus fumigatus, belonging to the WHO critical priority group list (2022) in the poultry environment. To mitigate and reduce contaminants, global guidelines for what constitutes good microbiological indicators from environmental samples must be established. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is a novel method for estimating the risk of exposure to pathogens. So far, no research has been conducted to design QMRA that takes into account the risks associated with fungal contamination in poultry environments. This study aims to characterize Aspergillus fumigatus exposure through a QMRA in the poultry industry.
- Aspergillus fumigatus prevalence on poultry farms: health concerns in a climate change eraPublication . Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Viegas, CarlaThe global temperature is rising, promoting the growth of numerous pathogenic fungi that quickly adapt to the new environment, becoming more virulent and dangerous. Aspergillus fumigatus, one of the most common human pathogens, has already been observed in poultry farms. These settings have been spotted as a potential source of fungal pathogens, causing infections. Little is known about how temperature affects the spatial and temporal distributions of microbial populations, particularly human fungal pathogens. This study aims to identify variations in Aspergillus sections in air samples from poultry pavilions at different temperatures (27ºC and 37ºC to assess pathogenic potential).
- Aspergillus section Fumigati in firefighter headquartersPublication . Viegas, Carla; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Carolino, Elisabete; Caetano, Liliana AranhaBackground: Aspergillus section Fumigati is one of the Aspergillus sections more frequently related to respiratory symptoms and by other health outcomes. This study aimed to characterize Aspergillus section Fumigati distribution in eleven firefighter headquarters (FFHs) to obtain an accurate occupational exposure assessment. Methods: A sampling approach protocol was performed using active (impaction method) and passive sampling methods (floor surfaces swabs, electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs), and settled dust). All samples were analyzed by culture-based methods and passive sampling was used for molecular detection of Aspergillus section Fumigati. Results: Of all the matrices, the highest counts of Aspergillus sp. were obtained on settled dust filters (3.37% malt extract agar—MEA, 19.09% dichloran glycerol—DG18) followed by cleaning cloths (1.67% MEA; 7.07% DG18). Among the Aspergillus genus, the Fumigati section was predominant in Millipore and EDC samples in MEA (79.77% and 28.57%, respectively), and in swabs and settled dust filters in DG18 (44.76% and 30%, respectively). The Fumigati section was detected more frequently in DG18 (33.01%) compared to MEA (0.33%). The Fumigati section was observed in azole supplemented media (itraconazole and voriconazole) in several passive sampling methods employed and detected by qPCR in almost all passive samples, with EDCs being the matrix with the highest prevalence (n = 61; 67.8%). Conclusion: This study confirms that Aspergillus sp. is widespread and the Fumigati section is present in all FFHs. The presence of fungi potentially resistant to azoles in the FFHs was also observed. Further studies are needed to identify the best corrective and preventive measures to avoid this section contamination in this specific occupational environment.
- Assessing microbial contamination and particulate matter exposure in Portuguese poultry facilitiesPublication . Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Viegas, CarlaIntroduction: In poultry farms, the combination of feathers, feces, and bedding material appears to be critical to the development of pathogens enhancing the risks associated with zoonosis and its dissemination throughout the food chain. Currently, the prevalent airborne microorganisms in animal production facilities are poorly described in terms of quantity, composition, and risk category Identification and quantification on the other hand, would be useful for determining the causative agents and performing risk assessments. Aim of the study: This study intends to characterize microbial contamination in poultry pavilions through a multi-approach protocol for sampling and analyses.
- Assessing occupational exposure to fungi in woodworking environments: the definition of the most suitable sampling method based on a score indexPublication . Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Viegas, Susana; Viegas, CarlaWoodworkers may come into contact with various natural and artificial toxins that might harm their health. To assess that exposure, the sampling strategy is crucial to accurately determine the possible health consequences for workers and gather data on microbial viability. It has been suggested that using scoring rubrics in performance assessments has several benefits, such as enhanced scoring uniformity, allowing correct evaluation of difficult abilities, and learning promotion. This evaluation aims to generate a score that will offer current data to determine the best sampling technique for occupational exposure to fungal contamination.
- Assessing the impact of climate change on indoor fungal contamination in Lisbon Metropolitan Area primary schools: a comprehensive studyPublication . Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Viegas, CarlaThe increasing occurrence of severe weather events caused by global climate change raises concerns about indoor fungi. These changes can potentially alter fungal communities, promoting resistant strains, and intensifying mycotoxin production, having significant implications for human health. In educational settings, inadequate ventilation and high moisture levels amplify indoor fungal growth and mycotoxin contamination, posing a health risk that contributes to respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions in children and school staff. Our research explores the complex relationship between climate change and fungal diseases, highlighting the importance of temperature and moisture in driving fungal growth and mycotoxin production. This project focuses on the Lisbon metropolitan area and aims to assess the indoor levels of contamination and human exposure to azole-resistant fungi and mycotoxins in primary schools. The objective of this investigation is to carry out a comprehensive microbial characterization of the exposure to fungal contamination in primary educational institutions and to achieve that goal a comprehensive sampling campaign was employed, by the use of active and passive sampling methods and material collection from schools. Air samples utilizing the MAS-100 device, which collected 400L at a flow rate of 200 L/min, and the Anderson six-stage device, which collected 200L at a flow rate of 28.3 L/min were performed. Additionally, we collected samples of mops and surface swabs, and samples of settled dust through vacuuming and EDC, located in the sampling sites at 1.5 m height for 30 days, and collected during approximately 30 days. The samples will be analysed by culture-based methods, through the inoculation onto two different culture media: malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05%) incubated at 27ºC and dichloran-glycerol agar (DG18), incubated at 27ºC and 37ºC for 6 days. We will also be performing molecular detection of the selected fungal sections (Aspergillus sections Circumdati, Flavi, Fumigati, and Nidulantes). To evaluate the degree of mycotoxin contamination in school environments, we will employ high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect the presence of 38 different mycotoxins. The preliminary results that will be presented are specifically related to the active air sampling. The ultimate objective is to provide essential insights for the development of effective risk management strategies that safeguard the health of school children and personnel in the face of growing fungal threats.
- Assessment of Portuguese fitness centers: bridging the knowledge gap on harmful microbial contamination with focus on fungiPublication . Viegas, Carla; Peixoto, Cátia; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Slezakova, Klara; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, Simone; Carolino, Elisabete; Twarużek, Magdalena; Viegas, Susana; Caetano, Liliana AranhaThe lack of knowledge regarding the extent of microbial contamination in Portuguese fitness centers (FC) puts attendees and athletes at risk for bioaerosol exposure. This study intends to characterize microbial contamination in Portuguese FC by passive sampling methods: electrostatic dust collectors (EDC) (N=39), settled dust (N=8), vacuum filters (N=8), and used cleaning mops (N=12). The obtained extracts were plated in selective culture media for fungi and bacteria. Filters, EDC, and mop sample extracts were also screened for antifungal resistance and used for the molecular detection of the selected Aspergillus sections. The detection of mycotoxins was conducted using a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) system and to determine the cytotoxicity of microbial contaminants recovered by passive sampling, HepG2 (human liver carcinoma) and A549 (human alveolar epithelial) cells were employed. The results reinforce the use of passive sampling methods to identify the most critical areas and identify environmental factors that influence microbial contamination, namely having a swimming pool. The cardio fitness area presented the highest median value of total bacteria (TSA: 9.69x102 CFU.m-2.day-1) and Gram-negative bacteria (VRBA: 1.23 CFU.m-2.day-1), while for fungi it was the open space area, with 1.86x101 CFU.m-2.day-1. Aspergillus sp. was present in EDC and in filters used to collect settled dust. Reduced azole susceptibility was observed in filters, EDC (on ICZ and VCZ), and mops (on ICZ). Fumonisin B2 was the only mycotoxin detected and was present in all sampling matrixes except settled dust. High and moderate cytotoxicity was obtained, suggesting that A549 cells were more sensitive to samples’ contaminants. The observed widespread of critical toxigenic fungal species with clinical relevance, such as Aspergillus section Fumigati, as well as Fumonisin B2 emphasizes the importance of frequent and effective cleaning procedures while using shared mops appeared as a vehicle of cross-contamination.