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- 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.
- Bioburden assessment in Lisbon groceriesPublication . Moreira, Sílvia; Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Viegas, CarlaObjective: This study aims to characterize the occupational exposure to the bioburden of groceries workers and to identify the most critical workstations. Background To our knowledge, this is the first study performed in Portugal that intends to characterize microbial contamination in this specific setting. Method: This study was conducted between November and December of 2020 in fifteen groceries stores (M) located in the municipality of Cascais. Passive sampling methods (Electrostatic dust cloths—EDC) and surface swabs were used at three different locations (checkout, fruits/vegetables, and warehouse/dispenser areas). EDC and surface swabs were inoculated in four standard culture media, namely, malt extract agar (MEA), dichloran glycerol (DG18), tryptic soy agar (TSA), and violet red bile agar (VRBA) for further characterization. Results: The prevalence of bacterial contamination was higher than fungal contamination in both sampling methods. The highest prevalence was in the fruits/vegetable area regarding fungal and bacterial contamination. Conclusion: The sampling methods employed effectively identified the most critical workplaces regarding microbial contamination. Application This study will be useful for industrial hygienists since it is the first held in small grocery shops focusing on the occupational exposure assessment of microbiological contamination.
- One Health approach in “Do It Yourself” stores to tackle fungal contaminationPublication . Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Viegas, Susana; Viegas, CarlaWood dust contamination by fungi poses health risks due to exposure by inhalation. This study aimed to assess the exposure of woodworking employees and customers to fungal load in 13 “Do It Yourself” (DIY) stores in the Lisbon metropolitan area (Portugal). An active sampling method (MAS-100 air sampler) was applied in different store areas, collecting 200L at a flow rate of 140 L/min. Regarding the occupational exposure assessment and considering the threshold suggested by the WHO of 150 CFU.m-3, the cutting area and the wood display surpass this limit in all the stores included. As for the threshold suggested by OSHA for fungi in non-industrial workplaces (1.0 x 101-1.0 x 104 CFU/m³), all the sampling sites from all the stores are within the limit, although indoor/outdoor ratio showed a higher indoor load compared to the outdoor counts in most of the stores. Regarding the Portuguese Indoor Air Quality legal framework, although the ratio I/O complied in two out of 13 stores, it was possible to identify one of these two toxigenic species with a quantitative cut-off above the legal frame. The results of this assessment raise health concerns regarding workers´ and customers ‘safety and support the need to implement measures to prevent exposure and protect workers' and customers' health. Additionally, it is known that wood dust and shavings from DIY stores may be used in animal bedding and agriculture, promoting fungal contamination in other settings. This highlights the need for a One Health approach.
- Assessment of waste workers occupational risk to microbial agents and cytotoxic effects of mixed contaminants present in the air of waste truck cabin and ventilation filtersPublication . Marchand, Genevieve; Wingert, Loïc; Viegas, Carla; Aranha Caetano, Liliana; Viegas, Susana; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Lacombe, Nancy; Lanoie, Delphine; Valois, Isabelle; Gouin, Francois; Soszczyńska, Ewelina; Kosicki, Robert; Dias, Marta; Debia, MaximilienWorkers in the waste-processing industry are potentially exposed to high concentrations of biological contaminants, leading to respiratory and digestive problems and skin irritations. However, few data on the exposure of waste collection truck (WCT) drivers are available. The goal was to document the microbial risk of the waste collection truck (WCT) workers while in the vehicle cab. Long-period sampling using the truck air filters (CAF) and short-time ambient air sampling in the cab were used. The potential release of microbial particles from CAFs was also investigated since it could contribute to the microbial load of the cabin air. A combination of analytical methods also helped assess the complex mixture of the biological agents. Aspergillus sections Fumigati and Flavi, E. coli, Enterobacter spp., and Legionella spp. were detected in the CAF of trucks collecting three types of waste. The highest levels of bacteria and fungi were found in the CAF from organic WCT. The highest endotoxin concentrations in CAF were 300 EU/cm2. Most of the CAF showed cytotoxic effects on both lung cells and hepatocytes. Only one mycotoxin was detected in a CAF. The maximal concentrations in the ambient WCT air varied according to the type of waste collected. The highest proportion (84%) of the air samples without cytotoxic effects on the lung cells was for the recyclable material WCTs. The results revealed the potential microbial risk to workers from a complex mixture of bio-contaminants in the cabs of vehicles collecting all types of waste. The sustained cytotoxic effect indicates the potential adverse health-related impact of mixed contaminants (biological and non-biological) for the workers. Overall, this study highlights the benefits of using a complementary sampling strategy and combined analytical methods for the assessment of the microbial risk in work environments and the need to implement protective measures for the workers. Implications: Exposure to microbial agents is a well-known occupational hazard in the waste management sector. No previous study had evaluated the cytotoxicity of ambient air and ventilation filters to document worker exposure to a combination of contaminants during waste collection. This research confirms the usefulness of ventilation filters for the long-term characterization of exposure to infectious agents, azole-resistant fungi, coliform bacteria, and mycotoxin. Overall, this study highlights the importance of using several sampling and analysis methods for a comprehensive assessment of microbial risk in work environments, as well as the need to implement appropriate protective measures for collection workers.
- Insights of Portugal’s teaching staff microbial occupational exposurePublication . Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Viegas, CarlaEU strategies in education focus on risk factor awareness to promote a safe and healthy environment for the community. Health and safety promotion faces challenges due to the lack of adjusted policies for teaching staff. Teachers may be exposed to biohazards in schools, posing a health risk, which remains unexplored. Effective preventive measures and risk management actions require a thorough risk assessment. This study aims to conduct a microbial assessment regarding school staff personal exposure to bacterial and fungal loads.
- Portuguese groceries: a potential indoor environment to be used as public health sentinel for fungal and mycotoxins contaminationPublication . Viegas, Carla; Cervantes, Renata; Gomes, Bianca; Moreira, Silvia; Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Carolino, Elisabete; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, SusanaThis study aimed to characterize microbial contamination in Portuguese grocery stores. The research was carried out in 15 grocery stores in Cascais, Portugal. Electrostatic dust cloths (EDC) and surface swabs were used on 3 sampling sites: checkout, fruits/vegetables, and warehouse/dispenser. Fungal contamination was characterized by culture-based methods, through the inoculation onto two different culture media: malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05 %) and dichloran-glycerol agar (DG18). Screening of azole resistance was performed by inoculation of EDC extracts' in azole-supplemented Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) media, according to EUCAST guidelines. A total of 39 samples were screened for mycotoxin contamination. The highest fungal contamination was obtained from fruits/vegetables in swabs (76% MEA; 71% DG18). The most prevalent genera in swabs was Cladosporium sp. (54% MEA). Regarding EDC, besides Penicillium sp. (63%) the most prevalent were Aspergillus sections Circumdati (25%) and Aspergilli (35%). Penicillium sp. was highly prevalent in the checkout (61% SDA; 87% voriconazole), and warehouse/dispenser sectors (73% voriconazole; 52% posaconazole). Circumdati and Fumigati were the most prevalent Aspergillus sections in fruits/vegetables (73% and 64% in voriconazole, respectively). Four mycotoxins (fumonisin B1, B2, B3) were detected simultaneously in most of the 36 samples. Identifying the most critical workplaces in groceries concerning fungal and mycotoxin contamination is of utmost importance to human health (workers and consumers) when using a One Health approach.
- Microbial assessment in a rare Norwegian book collection: a One Health approach to cultural heritagePublication . Sequeira, Sílvia O.; Pasnak, Ekaterina; Viegas, Carla; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Twarużek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Viegas, Susana; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Penetra, Maria João; Silva, Inês; Caldeira, Ana Teresa; Pinheiro, CatarinaMicrobial contamination poses a threat to both the preservation of library and archival collections and the health of staff and users. This study investigated the microbial communities and potential health risks associated with the UNESCO-classified Norwegian Sea Trade Archive (NST Archive) collection exhibiting visible microbial colonization and staff health concerns. Dust samples from book surfaces and the storage environment were analyzed using culturing methods, qPCR, Next Generation Sequencing, and mycotoxin, cytotoxicity, and azole resistance assays. Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., and Cladosporium sp. were the most common fungi identified, with some potentially toxic species like Stachybotrys sp., Toxicladosporium sp., and Aspergillus section Fumigati. Fungal resistance to azoles was not detected. Only one mycotoxin, sterigmatocystin, was found in a heavily contaminated book. Dust extracts from books exhibited moderate to high cytotoxicity on human lung cells, suggesting a potential respiratory risk. The collection had higher contamination levels compared to the storage environment, likely due to improved storage conditions. Even though overall low contamination levels were obtained, these might be underestimated due to the presence of salt (from cod preservation) that could have interfered with the analyses. This study underlines the importance of monitoring microbial communities and implementing proper storage measures to safeguard cultural heritage and staff well-being.
- 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.
- Cytotoxicity analyses of environmental samples: main findings from different studies developedPublication . Viegas, Carla; Cervantes, Renata; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Viegas, Susana; Caetano, Liliana Aranha
- Filling the knowledge gap: scoping review regarding sampling methods, assays, and further requirements to assess airborne virusesPublication . Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Beswick, Alan; Duchaine, Caroline; Kolk, Annette; Madsen, Anne Mette; Oppliger, Anne; Pogner, Clara; Duquenne, Philippe; Wouters, Inge M.; Crook, Brian; Viegas, CarlaAssessment of occupational exposure to viruses is crucial to identify virus reservoirs and sources of dissemination early and to help prevent spread between employees and the general population. Measuring workers' exposure can facilitate the assessment of the effectiveness of protective and mitigation measures in place. This scoping review aims to give an overview of available methods and those already implemented for airborne virus exposure assessment in different occupational and indoor environments. The results retrieved from the various studies may contribute to the setting of future standards and guidelines to ensure a reliable risk characterization in the occupational environments crucial for the implementation of effective control measures. The search aimed at selecting studies between January 1st, 2010, and June 30th, 2023 in the selected databases. Fifty papers on virus exposure assessment fitted the eligibility criteria and were selected for data extraction. Overall, this study identified gaps in knowledge regarding virus assessment and pinpointed the need for further research. Several discrepancies were found (transport temperatures, elution steps, …), as well as a lack of publication of important data related to the exposure conditions (contextual information). With the available information, it is impossible to compare results between studies employing different methods, and even if the same methods are used, different conclusions/ recommendations based on expert judgment have been reported due to the lack of consensus in the contextual information retrieved and/or data interpretation. Future research on the field targeting sampling methods and in the laboratory regarding the assays to employ should be developed bearing in mind the different goals of the assessment.