Amoebae and other protozoa in material samples from moisture-damaged buildings.
Mold growth in buildings has been shown to be associated with adverse health effects. The fungal and bacterial growth on moistened building materials has been studied, but little attention has been paid to the other organisms spawning in the damaged materials. We examined moist building materials for protozoa, concentrating on amoebae. Material samples (n = 124) from moisture-damaged buildings were analyzed for amoebae, fungi, and bacteria. Amoebae were detected in 22% of the samples, and they were found to favor cooccurrence with bacteria and the fungi Acremonium spp., Aspergillus versicolor, Chaetomium spp., and Trichoderma spp. In addition, 11 seriously damaged samples were screened for other protozoa. Ciliates and flagellates were found in almost every sample analyzed. Amoebae are known to host pathogenic bacteria, such as chlamydiae, legionellae, and mycobacteria and they may have a role in the complex of exposure that contributes to the health effects associated with moisture damage in buildings.
Yli-Pirilä
Terhi
T
Department of Environmental Health, National Public Health Institute, PO Box 95, FIN-70701 Kuopio, Finland. terhi.yli-pirila@ktl.fi
Kusnetsov
Jaana
J
Haatainen
Susanna
S
Hänninen
Marja
M
Jalava
Pasi
P
Reiman
Marjut
M
Seuri
Markku
M
Hirvonen
Maija-Riitta
MR
Nevalainen
Aino
A
D000656:Amoeba / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D003252:Construction Materials; D004782:Environmental Health; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014867:Water
D014867:Water