Fungi genus and concentration in the air of onion fields and their opportunistic action related to mycotic keratitis.
The authors determined fungi concentrations and genera from onion fields located in monsoon and nonmonsoon areas of Taiwan, as well as concentrations from a county housing location, which served as the comparison site. The authors explored the relationship(s) among onion harvesting, monsoon characteristics, airborne fungal levels, and mycotic eye infection. Airborne fungal levels in the onion field in the nonmonsoon area were the highest, followed by decreasing levels in the monsoon area and control sites, regardless of the sampling periods. The geometric mean of airborne fungal concentrations was the highest during onion harvesting. Cladosporium was the most dominant fungus during pre- and postharvest seasons, whereas Aspergillus, Fusraium, Acremonium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Monilia, Mycelia, and Rhizopus were increased significantly during harvesting. Although fungal concentrations in monsoon onion fields were lower than concentrations measured in the nonmonsoon area, the invasion of dangerous fungal pathogens following eye trauma by airborne sharp exotics (e.g., onion flakes) dispersed in high wind may account for the increase in corneal ulcer cases that occur in the monsoon area.
Chang
Ching-Wen
CW
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor Affairs, Shijr City, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Ho
Chi-Kung
CK
Chen
Zuei-Ching
ZC
Hwang
Yaw-Huei
YH
Chang
Chen-Yang
CY
Liu
Shao-Taun
ST
Chen
Mei-Ju
MJ
Chen
Mao-Yen
MY
D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D000393:Air Pollutants; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D019697:Onions; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011891:Rain; D013624:Taiwan; D014919:Wind
D000393:Air Pollutants