Identifying the Fungal Health-Threatening Factors for Librarians and Users in Libraries of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2011

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mostafa Chadeganipour 1
Hossein Rafiee 2
Rezvan Ojaghi 3
Seiyede Tayyebeh Hashemi 4
Ahmad papi 5
Mojtaba Akbari 6
1 Professor, Medical Mycology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Mycology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Medical Library and Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4 Medical Student, Medicine, Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
5 Lecturer, Medical Library and Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
6 Epidemiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Fungi are biological threatening which exist in all the environments. Libraries and
archive centers are a suitable environment for the growth of fungi. The aim of this study was to
identify fungal life-threatening factors for librarians and users in libraries of Isfahan University of
Medical Sciences in 2011.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study. The study population
included libraries of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2011. 126 samples were chosen in
seven libraries at three different day times (morning, noon and evening), from the atmosphere,
books and surfaces (desks, computers, book shelves etc.). Culture media (Sc) containing samples
were placed at 25-30° C. After the growth of fungi, they were identified by macroscopic and
microscopic criteria.
Results: A total of 2140 colonies belonging to 26 fungal genera were isolated from the seven
libraries. The highest amounts of colonies (555) were isolated from the library of School of
Dentistry and the lowest amounts (70) were isolated from the library of School of Management
and Information Sciences. Cladosporium, Penicillium, Yeasts, Aspergillus Niger and Aspergillus
had the highest prevalence and Aureobasidium Rhizopus, Scopulariopsis, Botrytis, Neurospora
and Curvularia had the lowest prevalence. There was no significant correlation between the
sampling times and fungal contamination.
Conclusion: Cladosporium Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Aspergillus Niger, which had the
highest prevalence rate, are the opportunistic pathogens that may cause infection for those prone
to them.

Keywords

1. Zielinska-Jankiewicz K, Kozajda A, Piotrowska M, Szadkowska-Stanczyk I. Microbiological contamination with
moulds in work environment in libraries and archive storage facilities. Ann Agric Environ Med 2008; 15(1): 71-8.
2. Khosravi AR, Minooeyian Haghighi MH, Bahonar A. The study of air flora of Gonabad city for allergenic fungi
in summer and in spring. Ofogh-e- Danesh 2006; 12(3): 10-6. [In Persian].
3. Ghahri M. A review on fungi agents of paper decays, pathology and preventive ways and fight. Maremmat-
Pajouhesh 2006; 1(1): 27-42. [In Persian].
4. Barati B, Ghahri M, Sarvari R. The isolated bacteria and fungi from Gheshm. Hormozgan Med J 2009; 13(2):
101-8. [In Persian].
5. Portnoy JM, Kwak K, Dowling P, VanOsdol T, Barnes C. Health effects of indoor fungi. Ann Allergy Asthma
Immunol 2005; 94(3): 313-9.                                                                                                                                                       6. Flannigan BF, Samson RA, Miller JD. Microorganisms in Home and Indoor Work Environments: Diversity,
Health Impacts, Investigation and Control. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group; 2001.
7. Hedayati MT, Haji Esmaeeli Hajjar F, Ehsani AH, Hajheydari Z. The effect of ketoconazole 2% solution in
comparison with ketoconazole 2% shampoo on clinicalsigns and Malassezia yeasts in seborrhoeic dermatitis
patients. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2008; 18(67): 107-10. [In Persian].
8. Cakmak S, Dales RE, Burnett RT, Judek S, Coates F, Brook JR. Effect of airborne allergens on emergency visits
by children for conjunctivitis and rhinitis. Lancet 2002; 359(9310): 947-8.
9. Partov B. Library equipment and building. Tehran, Iran: Chapar Publication; 2006. [In Persian].
10.Mesquita N, Portugal A, Videira S, Rodriguez-Echeverria S, Bandeira AML, Santos MJA, et al. Fungal diversity
in ancient documents. A case study on the Archive of the University of Coimbra. International Biodeterioration
& Biodegradation 2009; 63(5): 626-9.
11.Nabavi M, Ghorbani R, Bemanian MH, Rezaie M, Nabavi M. Prevalence of mold allergy in patients with allergic
rhinitis referred to Semnan clinic of allergy. Koomesh 2009; 11(1): 27-32. [In Persian].
12. Liang KL, Su MC, Jiang RS. Comparison of the Skin Test and ImmunoCAP System in the Evaluation of Mold
Allergy. J Chin Med Assoc 2006; 69(1): 3-6.
13. Shadzi S, Zahraee MH, Chadegani Pour M. Incidence of airborne fungi in Isfahan, Iran. Mycoses 1993; 36(1-2):
69-73.
14.Vittala BP. Airborne Fungus Spores of a Library in Indiapages. Grana 1985; 24(2): 129-32.
15.OGorman CM, Fuller HT. Prevalence of culturable airborne spores of selected allergenic and pathogenic fungi in
outdoor air. Atmospheric Environment 2008; 42(18): 4355-68.
16.Aghamirian M, Jahani Hashemi H. Survey of airborne fungi spores in Qazvin. J Qazvin Univ Med Sci 2010;
14(1): 65-70. [In Persian].
17. Lee T, Grinshpun SA, Martuzevicius D, Adhikari A, Crawford CM, Luo J, et al. Relationship between indoor and
outdoor bio-aerosols collected with a button inhalable aerosol sampler in urban homes. Indoor Air 2006; 16(1):
37-47.
18.Reis-Menezes AA, Gambale W, Giudice MC. A Survey of Fungal Contamination on Books in Public Libraries
with Mechanical and Natural Ventilation. Indoor and Built Environment 2011; 20(4): 393-9.
19. Partov B. Protection and maintenance of library materials. Tehran, Iran: Samt Publication; 2001. [In Persian].
Health Information Management
Volume 9, Issue 5
November and December 2012
Pages 724-732