Characterization of fungal bioaerosols in indoor spaces: in a Higher Education Institution (HES) in Cartagena de Indias, Colombian Caribbean

Abstract

Bioaerosols are airborne particles or microfragments that contain a variety of microorganisms. In closed environments these can affect the health of humans, especially, fungal bioaerosols can generate allergies, infections or respiratory issues. In this study, airborne fungi were identified and quantified in closed environments inside a Higher Education Institution (IES) in the city of Cartagena de Indias in the Colombian Caribbean during 2023. 452 samples were collected using the gravitational deposition technique. The results showed that the predominant genera and species were Mucor sp (40%), Cladosporium sp (25%) and Penicillum sp (19%); followed by Asperillus niger (7%), Microsporum sp (5%), finally, with a percentage of occurrence equal to or less than 1%, Alternaria sp, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Paecilomyces sp and Rhodotorula sp were identified. It is concluded that it is important to carry out an evaluation of the microbiological quality of indoor air, especially the characterization of potentially pathogenic fungi, which can affect the health of workers; who spend a large part of their day exposed to the air in the indoor environments of the higher education institution under study.