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- Portuguese cork industry: filling the knowledge gap regarding occupational exposure to fungi and related health effectsPublication . Viegas, Carla; Dias, Marta; Pacífico, Cátia; Faria, Tiago; Clérigo, Anália Matos; Dias, Hermínia Brites; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Carolino, Elisabete; Gomes, Anita Q.; Viegas, SusanaIntroduction: The presence of the Penicillium section Aspergilloides (formerly known as Penicillium glabrum) in the cork industry involves the risk of respiratory diseases such as suberosis. Methods: This study aimed to corroborate the predominant fungi presents in this occupational environment by performing a mycological analysis of 360 workers’ nasal exudates collected by nasal swabs. Additionally, evaluation of respiratory disorders among the cork workers was also performed by spirometry. Results: Penicillium section Aspergilloides was detected by qPCR in 37 out of the 360 nasal swabs collected from workers’ samples. From those, 25 remained negative for Penicillium sp. when using culture-based methods. A significant association was found between ventilatory defects and years of work in the cork industry, with those people working for 10 or more years in this industry having an approximately two-fold increased risk of having ventilatory defects compared to those working less time in this setting. Among the workers who detected the presence of Penicillium section Aspergilloides, those with symptoms presented slightly higher average values of CFU. Discussion: Overall, the results obtained in this study show that working in the cork industry may have adverse effects on worker’s respiratory health. Nevertheless, more studies are needed (e.g., using serological assays) to clarify the impact of each risk factor (fungi and dust) on disease etiology.
- Tea contamination by mycotoxins and azole-resistant mycobiota: the need of a One Health approach to tackle exposuresPublication . Viegas, Carla; Simões, Ana Beatriz; Faria, Mariana; Gomes, Bianca; Cervantes, Renata; Dias, Marta; Carolino, Elisabete; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Viegas, Susana; Caetano, Liliana AranhaDespite tea beneficial health effects, there is a substantial risk of tea contamination by harmful pathogens and mycotoxins. A total of 40 tea samples (17 green (raw) tea; 13 black (fermented) tea; 10 herbal infusions or white tea) were purchased from different markets located in the Lisbon district in 2020. All products were directly available to consumers either in bulk (13) and or in individual packages (27). Bacterial analysis was performed by inoculating 150 μL of samples extracts in tryptic soy agar (TSA) supplemented with 0.2 % nystatin medium for mesophilic bacteria, and in Violet Red bile agar (VRBA) medium for coliforms (Gram-negative bacteria). Fungal research was performed by spreading 150 μL of samples in malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with 0.05 % chloramphenicol and in dichloran-glycerol agar (DG18) media. The molecular detection of the Aspergillus sections Fumigati, Nidulantes, Circumdati, and Flavi was carried out by Real-Time PCR (qPCR). Detection of mycotoxins was performed using a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) with a mass spectrometry detector. Azole resistance screening was achieved following the EUCAST guidelines. The highest counts of total bacteria (TSA) were obtained in green raw tea (81.6 %), while coliform counts (VRBA) were found in samples from black raw tea (96.2 %). The highest fungal counts were obtained in green raw tea (87.7 % MEA; 69.6 % DG18). Aspergillus sp. was the most prevalent genus in all samples on MEA (54.3 %) and on DG18 (56.2 %). In the raw tea 23 of the samples (57.5 %) presented contamination by one to five mycotoxins in the same sample. One Aspergillus section Fumigati isolate from a green tea beverage recovered from itraconazole-Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) medium, presented itraconazole and posaconazole E-test MICs above MIC90 values. Our findings open further discussion regarding the One-Health approach and the necessary investment in researching biological hazards and azole resistance associated with the production and consumption of tea (in particular green tea).
- Commercial tea samples: a natural health ally or an Aspergillus infusionPublication . Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, CarlaIntroduction and Purpose - Tea consumption has been increasing in the last few years. The lack of specific legislation concerning microbial contamination of teas and infusions might represent a risk for consumers’ health. This study characterizes fungal contamination and azole resistance on green and black tea and other infusions commercially available in Portugal.
- Aspergillus spp. and azole-resistance characterization on mechanic protection gloves from waste sorting industryPublication . Viegas, Carla; Dias, Marta; Almeida, Beatriz; Caetano, Liliana AranhaAspergillus spp. species are filamentous fungi commonly found in different environmental compartments, where they thrive as saprophytes. Some species among the Aspergillus genera can be occasionally harmful to humans. Only a few species are considered as significant opportunistic pathogens in humans. Aspergillus section Fumigati is an opportunistic pathogen of immunocompromised hosts and one of several Aspergillus species that cause a wide range of respiratory disorders. Increased occurrence of opportunistic Aspergillus infections in immunocompromised patients, and the emergence of antifungal resistance, either in the clinical or in the environment had been reported.
- Produtos de saúde à base de plantas (módulo I)Publication . Caetano, Liliana AranhaProdutos de saúde à base de plantas: alimentos - chás medicinais; medicamentos à base de plantas; suplementos alimentares. Motivações para uso de produtos de saúde à base de plantas. Produtos de saúde à base de plantas vs medicamentos. Características dos produtos de saúde à base de plantas. O que os consumidores precisam saber? Medicamentos tradicionais à base de plantas. Enquadramento legal.
- Organic dust exposure in veterinary clinics: a case study of a small-animal practice in PortugalPublication . Viegas, Carla; Monteiro, Ana; Ribeiro, Edna; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Carolino, Elisabete; Assunção, Ricardo; Viegas, SusanaLiterature about occupational health in small-animal veterinary practices is scarce, but most of it has recognised a number of risks to be considered, including organic dust exposure. The aim of this pilot study was to assess organic dust, bacterial, and fungal contamination in the indoor environment of a typical Portuguese veterinary clinic but also to screen for azoleresistant fungi. To complement these findings we also analysed workers’ nasal exudates for resistant bacteriota. Particles measurements included mass concentrations (PMC) of five particle sizes (PM0.5, PM1, PM2.5, PM5, PM10) and their counts (PNC). Indoor air samples were obtained from six locations as well as before and during cat dental cleaning and cultured on four media for bacterial and fungal assessment. An outdoor sample was also collected for reference Surface samples were taken from the same indoor locations using swabs and we also use electrostatic dust cloths as passive methods. PM10 showed the highest concentrations across the locations. Indoor air fungal loads ranged from 88 to 504 CFU m−3. The azole-resistant Aspergillus section Nigri was identified in one sample. Indoor air bacterial loads ranged from 84 to 328 CFU m-3. Nasopharyngeal findings in the 14 veterinary clinic workers showed a remarkably low prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (7.1 %). Our results point to contamination with organic dusts above the WHO limits and to the need for better ventilation. Future studies should combine the same sampling protocol (active and passive methods) with molecular tools to obtain more accurate risk characterisation. In terms of prevention, animals should be caged in rooms separate from where procedures take place, and worker protection should be observed at all times.
- Occupational exposure to fungi and mycotoxins: overview of different studies developed in PortugalPublication . Viegas, Carla; Cervantes, Renata; Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Carolino, Elisabete; Twarużek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Soszczyńska, Ewelina; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, SusanaAs in all European countries, Portuguese employers are obliged by legal requirements to assess and prevent exposure to chemical, physical and biological risks (Directive 89/391/EEC). However, the health risks of biological origin are frequently less recognized and, thus, underreported. This study intends to present an overview of the assessments of fungal contamination and mycotoxins performed in three different occupational environments (Firefighters headquarters - FFH; Waste collection trucks – WCT and; Cemeteries - CM). Active sampling (impaction and impingement methods) and several passive sampling methods (swabs, settled dust, settled dust filters, electrostatic dust cloths – EDC, cleaning materials,…) were employed. Azole resistance screening, the molecular detection of Aspergillus sections, as well as mycotoxin analysis were also conducted. Regarding FFH it was raised concern regarding the following findings: a) microbial contamination didn´t comply with Portuguese IAQ legal requirements in most of the FFH (fungal load 45.45%); b) fungal exposure through inhalation underlining a possible risk factor for respiratory diseases; c) prevalence of Aspergillus sp. in cleaning materials that might represent a potential source of cross-contamination; d) widespread of Aspergillus section Fumigati in all the FFH analysed; e) trend of multidrug resistance found among fungi with a focus on Fumigati isolates; and f) detection of several mycotoxins (fumonisin B2, nivalenol, mycophenolic acid, and sterigmatocystin). Concerning WCT Aspergillus sp. (4.18%) was one of the most prevalent species. Aspergillus section Fumigati was detected in 5 samples. Mycotoxins were detected in filters (N=1) and in settled dust samples (N=16). The mycotoxin detected in the filter was fumonisin B1 and the most detected in settled dust was mycophenolic acid. Sterigmatocystin, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenon were detected in only one sample each. In what concerns CM, Aspergillus sp. presented the highest counts in DG18 (18.38%) and it wasn't observed in azole-supplemented SDA media. Mycophenolic acid was detected in one settled dust sample. Overall, our study reveals that a comprehensive sampling approach using active and passive sampling methods and combined analytic methods (i.e., culture-based and molecular) is an important asset in microbial exposure assessments. Furthermore, in all three occupational environments mycotoxins were detected unveiling this occupational health threat.
- 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).
- In vitro cytocompatibility evaluation of poly(DL-lactic acid) scaffolds loaded with minocycline and voriconazole addressing osteomyelitisPublication . Zegre, Miguel; Gonçalves, Lídia M.; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Bettencourt, Ana F.Purpose: In this work is proposed the cytocompatibility evaluation of an innovative system based on the dual delivery of minocycline (Min) and voriconazole (Vor), aiming for bone infection therapeutics.
- Fungal and mycotoxins contamination in non-alcoholic beverages: the case of tea from Portuguese market and coffee beans from BrazilPublication . Viegas, Carla; Gomes, Bianca; Cervantes, Renata; Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Oliveira, Filipe; Andrade, Ednilton Tavares de; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Viegas, SusanaAgriculture constitutes one of the most sensitive sectors that could be affected by climate change. Among the xenobiotics contaminating agricultural crops, fungi and mycotoxins are the most challenging since their presence represents an economic burden due to crop loss and serious health effects related to animals and humans with severe repercussions. This study intends to characterize the fungal and mycotoxin contamination in tea available in the Portuguese market and in coffee from two Brazilian industries.