title: Culturable fungi in potting soils and compost.
abstract: In the present study the spectrum and the incidence of fungi in potting soils and compost was investigated. Since soil is one of the most important biotopes for fungi, relatively high concentrations of fungal propagules are to be expected. For detection of fungi, samples of commercial soils, compost and soils from potted plants (both surface and sub-surface) were suspended and plated onto several mycological media. The resulting colonies were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The results from the different sampling series vary, but concentrations on the surface of potted plants and in commercial soils are increased tenfold compared to compost and sub-surface soils. Median values range from 9.5 × 10(4) colony forming units (CFU)/g to 5.5 × 10(5) CFU/g. The spectrum of fungi also varies in the soils. However, all sampling series show high proportion of Aspergillus and Penicillium species, including potentially pathogenic species such as Aspergillus fumigatus. Cladosporium, a genus dominant in the ambient air, was found preferably in samples which were in contact with the air. The results show that potentially pathogenic fungi are present in soils. Immunocompromised individuals should avoid handling soils or potted plants in their immediate vicinity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Department of Environmental Hygiene, ZWT Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010 Graz, Austria doris.haas@medunigraz.at.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Department of Environmental Hygiene, ZWT Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lesch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Department of Environmental Hygiene, ZWT Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Buzina
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Department of Environmental Hygiene, ZWT Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Galler
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Department of Environmental Hygiene, ZWT Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gutschi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Department of Environmental Hygiene, ZWT Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Habib
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Department of Environmental Hygiene, ZWT Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pfeifer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Department of Environmental Hygiene, ZWT Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Josefa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luxner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Department of Environmental Hygiene, ZWT Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Franz F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Reinthaler
mesh_terms: D058448:Biota; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010944:Plants / Q000382:microbiology*; D012987:Soil; D012988:Soil Microbiology
chemical_list: D012987:Soil
keywords: CFU; compost; culturable fungi; fungal propagules; potting soil