Browsing by Author "Rosado, Laura"
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- Air fungal contamination in ten hospitals’ food units from LisbonPublication . Viegas, Carla; Ramos, C.; Almeida-Silva, Marina; Sabino, Raquel; Veríssimo, Carlos; Rosado, LauraA descriptive study was developed to monitor air fungal contamination in ten food units from hospitals. Fifty air samples of 250 litres were collected through impaction method. Samples were collected in food storage facilities, kitchen, food plating, canteen and also, outside premises, since this is the place regarded as reference. Simultaneously, environmental parameters were also monitored, including temperature and relative humidity through the equipment Babouc, LSI Sistems and according to the International Standard ISO 7726.
- Air fungal contamination in two elementary schools in Lisbon, PortugalPublication . Viegas, Carla; Veríssimo, C.; Rosado, Laura; Santos, Carlos SilvaA descriptive study was developed to monitor air fungal contamination in two elementary schools in Lisbon, Portugal. Eight air samples of 250 litres through impaction method were collected in canteen, library, classrooms and also, outside premises as reference place. Simultaneously, were also monitored environmental parameters, including temperature, and humidity through the equipment Babouc, LSI Sistems and according to the International Standard ISO 7726 - 1998. Considering both schools, sixteen different species of fungi in air were identified, being the 2 most commonly isolated Cladosporium sp. (51,1%) and Penicillium sp. (27,5%). Besides these genera Trichoderma, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Chrysonilia, Botritys, Ulocladium, Athrium, Aureobasidium, Phoma, Scedosporium e Geotrichum were also isolated. Regarding yeasts, Candida sp., Cryptococcus sp. and Rhodotorula sp. were isolated. The youngest school, as well canteens in each school, presented the worst results concerning the air fungal contamination, maybe due to the higher number of occupants. There was no significant relationship (p>0,05) between fungal contamination and temperature and humidity.
- Aspergillus species in ten hospitals food units from LisbonPublication . Viegas, Carla; Ramos, Carla; Almeida, Marina; Sabino, Raquel; Veríssimo, Cristiana; Rosado, LauraThe hospital environment is a source of acquired infections. Microbiologic control of hospital environments may play a role in the prevention of cross-infection. Fungal exposure in hospitals is of particular interest due to the possible patient's susceptibility. Effects due to fungal exposure are dependent on the: species present; metabolic products; concentration and exposure duration; individual susceptibility. It is important to contribute to the increase of knowledge referring to air fungal contamination in hospitals' indoor spaces, such as food units, in order to identify the most effective preventive measures to avoid such contamination. This investigation was designed to describe environmental air fungal contamination by Aspergillus species in ten hospitals' food units from Lisbon.
- Assessment of fungal contamination in a group of Lisbon's gymnasiums with a swimming poolPublication . Viegas, Carla; Alves, Célia; Carolino, Elisabete; Pinheiro, Catarina; Rosado, Laura; Santos, Carlos SilvaThe study’s main purpose was the assessment of the environmental fungal contamination, the exploration of possible associations between related environmental variables and the study of the relationship between fungal contamination of air and surfaces. A descriptive study was developed based upon air and surfaces monitoring for fungal contamination in ten indoor gymnasiums with a swimming pool located in Lisbon’s urban area. Fifty 200 litres air samples and 120 surface swabs were collected. Surfaces samples were collected before and after cleaning and disinfection and temperature and relative humidity values were registered during the collection period. Twenty five different species of fungi were identified in the air samples, being the three most commonly isolated genera the following: Cladosporium (36.6%), Penicillium (19.0%) and Aspergillus (10.2%). Thirty-seven different species of fungi were identified in the surface samples. Fusarium sp. was the most frequent genera before (19.1%) and after (17.2%) cleaning and disinfection. There was a significant association between the numbers of visitors and the fungal contamination determined in the surface samples (p<0.05). There was no significant association (p>0.05) between the contamination encountered in the air samples and the one registered in the surface samples and between the fungal contamination and the temperature or relative humidity measured on location. The data obtained enabled the assessment of the establishment’s fungal contamination and led the authors to conclude, consequently, that physical activity, which generally promotes health, can in fact be challenged by this factor.
- Comparison of fungal contamination between hospitals and companies food unitsPublication . Viegas, Carla; Almeida, M.; Ramos, C.; Sabino, Raquel; Veríssimo, C.; Rosado, LauraA descriptive study was developed to compare air and surfaces fungal contamination in ten hospitals’ food units and two food units from companies. Fifty air samples of 250 litres through impaction method were collected from hospitals’ food units and 41 swab samples from surfaces were also collected, using a 10 by 10 cm square stencil. Regarding the two companies, ten air samples and eight surface samples were collected. Air and surface samples were collected in food storage facilities, kitchen, food plating and canteen. Outdoor air was also collected since this is the place regarded as a reference. Simultaneously, temperature, relative humidity and meal numbers were registered. Concerning air from hospitals’ food units, 32 fungal species were identified, being the two most commonly isolated genera Penicillium sp.
- Contaminação fúngica em unidades de restauração colectiva de duas empresasPublication . Viegas, Carla; Ramos, Carla; Almeida, Marina; Sabino, Raquel; Veríssimo, Cristina; Rosado, LauraIntrodução A exposição a agentes biológicos nos locais de trabalho é frequentemente associada com efeitos adversos sobre a saúde, tais como a disseminação de infecções, efeitos agudos tóxicos, alergias e cancro. As unidades de restauração colectiva podem ser fonte de contaminação fúngica nas instalações das empresas, pois os alimentos e os visitantes podem transportar grande diversidade de espécies fúngicas. Objectivo Descrever a contaminação fúngica em unidades de restauração colectivas de duas empresas. Metodologia Foi realizado estudo descritivo e para isso foram colhidas dez amostras de ar de 250 litros através do método de impacto e oito zaragatoas de superfícies, utilizando quadrado de metal de 10 cm de lado. As amostras de ar e as zaragatoas foram colhidas na despensa, cozinha, empratamento dos alimentos e refeitório. Foi também realizada colheita de ar no exterior por ter sido considerado como o local de referência. Simultaneamente, a temperatura e a humidade relativa do ar foram registadas. Resultados Foram identificados nove espécies de fungos filamentosos no ar, tendo sido o género Cladosporium o mais frequente (71,2%), seguido pelo Penicillium sp. (13,0%). Em relação às leveduras, apenas Candida famata foi identificada. Oito espécies de fungos filamentosos e três espécies de leveduras foram identificados nas superfícies analisadas, sendo os mais frequentes Penicillium sp. (97,2%) e Candida famata (42,9%), respectivamente. Não houve coincidência entre os géneros predominantes no interior e no exterior das instalações e as duas unidades apresentaram fungos diferentes dos isolados no exterior. Não se verificou relação significativa (p> 0,05) entre a contaminação fúngica e a temperatura e a humidade relativa. Conclusões Foi possível caracterizar a distribuição fúngica das 2 unidades e avaliar a associação com as variáveis ambientais. Também foi possível observar que as unidades de restauração colectiva podem ser fontes de disseminação de contaminação fúngica no interior das empresas, constituindo um problema ocupacional.
- Contaminação fúngica na confecção de alimentos num hospitalPublication . Viegas, Carla; Rosado, Laura; Silva-Santos, CarlosOs locais destinados à armazenagem, preparação, confecção e empratamento de alimentos poderão constituir um ambiente potenciador da disseminação fúngica devido: condições ideais de temperatura e humidade relativa; número de ocupantes; alimentos; tipo de actividades.
- Diagnosis of Tinea pedis and onychomycosis in patients from Portuguese National Institute of Health: a four-year studyPublication . Viegas, Carla; Sabino, Raquel; Parada, Helena; Brandão, João; Carolino, Elisabete; Rosado, Laura; Veríssimo, CristinaABSTRACT - Tinea pedis and onychomycosis are two rather diverse clinical manifestations of superficial fungal infections, and their etiologic agents may be dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte moulds or yeasts. This study was designed to statistically describe the data obtained as results of analysis conducted during a four year period on the frequency of Tinea pedis and onychomycosis and their etiologic agents. A questionnaire was distributed from 2006 to 2010 and answered by 186 patients, who were subjected to skin and/or nail sampling. Frequencies of the isolated fungal species were cross-linked with the data obtained with the questionnaire, seeking associations and predisposing factors. One hundred and sixty three fungal isolates were obtained, 24.2% of which composed by more than one fungal species. Most studies report the two pathologies as caused primarily by dermatophytes, followed by yeasts and lastly by non-dermatophytic moulds. Our study does not challenge this trend. We found a frequency of 15.6% of infections caused by dermatophytes (with a total of 42 isolates) of which T. rubrum was the most frequent species (41.4%). There was no significant association (p >0.05) among visible injury and the independent variables tested, namely age, gender, owning pet, education, swimming pools attendance, sports activity and clinical information. Unlike other studies, the variables considered did not show the expected influence on dermatomycosis of the lower limbs. It is hence necessary to conduct further studies to specifically identify which variables do in fact influence such infections.
- Estudo de comunidades fúngicas em arquivos: implicações na conservação e na saúdePublication . Pinheiro, A. C.; Viegas, Carla; Jurado, V.; Sabino, Raquel; Veríssimo, Carlos; Rosado, Laura; Macedo, M. F.A influência da contaminação fúngica para a saúde ambiental e para a conservação do património é o tema premente e actual que suscitou a hipótese de estudo aqui apresentada. Os fungos, dada a sua extrema capacidade de adaptação, podem colonizar diversos materiais - orgânicos ou não - e a sua acção pode ser mecânica, por intermédio das suas hifas, ou química, através dos seus metabolitos. Em termos de conservação do património, os estudos sobre fungos têm suscitado grande interesse dada a sua elevada capacidade de biodeterioração. Tendo inicialmente assentado em técnicas tradicionais de cultura, os estudos mais recentes já incluem tecnicas modernas de biologia molecular. O estudo aqui apresentado utiliza ambas as técnicas: a convencional, recorrendo a meios de cultura específicos para o crescimento de fungos e a mais recente, utilizando o DNA fúngico e a amplificação genómica dos mesmos para conseguir identificá-los até ao nível da espécie. Para conseguir realizar este intuito, foi desenvolvida a aplicação da recente técnica de cromatografia líquida desnaturante de alta resolução (DHPLC) à análise de amostras complexas de fungos filamentosos e leveduriformes.
- Infecção fúngica ocupacionalPublication . Viegas, Carla; Alves, C.; Carolino, Elisabete; Rosado, Laura; Silva-Santos, CarlosA maioria dos autores diagnostica como agentes etiológicos mais frequentes da Tinea pedis e da onicomicose os Dermatófitos (80 a 90 %), seguidos pelas Leveduras (5 a 17%) e por fim Fungos Filamentosos Não Dermatófitos (FFND) (2 a 12%). Estes têm sido isolados nas superfícies das piscinas no âmbito de estudos internacionais realizados. As infecções fúngicas frequentes nos pés dos atletas e profissionais do desporto, estão relacionadas, não só com a maior exposição a fungos, mas também devido à maceração natural da pele causada pelas actividades desportivas em questão. Estes profissionais apresentam mais horas por dia de exposição aos agentes fúngicos, por serem os que mais frequentam os locais possíveis de estarem contaminados, como é o caso de balneários, vestiários e piscinas. Algumas das actividades desportivas são realizadas com os pés descalços potenciando a infecção fúngica desses trabalhadores. As actividades profissionais, como as desportivas, potenciam a lesão nos pés favorecendo a inoculação e o crescimento fúngico e, consequentemente, a Tinea pedis e a onicomicose. Tal facto é preocupante porque afecta negativamente o desempenho e a produtividade dos atletas e profissionais do desporto.