Species of Conditionally Pathogenic Micromycetes in the Air of Dwellings and Occupational Premises

Abstract

The spread of filamentous fungi in occupational premises and dwellings predetermines not only the pollution of the surroundings, but also influences the health of their occupants. Problems caused by micromycetes are of major importance in Lithuania where, because of the climatic conditions, people spend a large part of their time indoors. Over the years 1994-2000 the microbiological state of various dwellings and occupational premises in Vilnius city has been investigated. Some 359 fungal species ascribed to 100 genera, 20 families, 11 ranges, 2 classes and 4 divisions were isolated and identified. Mitosporic fungi (74 genera, 290 species) constituted by far the majority of the identified isolates. In occupational and residential premises fungal species ascribed to Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Rhizomucor, Ulocladium, Mortierella, Aureobasidium, Oidiodendron, Geotrichum, Trichoderma, Acremonium, Scytalidium, Scolecobasidium genera dominated. The distribution of different species in the investigated premises varied. It was confirmed that respiratory and allergic diseases in the investigated premises were closely related to raised concentrations of airborne fungi.