Aerobiology, Vol. 4, Pages 3: Investigation of Aeromycoflora in the Library and Reading Room of Midnapore College (Autonomous): Impact on Human Health

Aerobiology doi: 10.3390/aerobiology4010003

Authors:
Tanmoy Basak
Rajarshi Pradhan
Amrita Mallik
Abhigyan Roy

Aeromycoflora present in the library environment is known to play a significant role in triggering allergies and contributing to the deterioration of both cellulosic and non-cellulosic materials within the intramural setting of the Midnapore College Library. Fungal spores not only accelerate the aging and degradation of books but also pose considerable health risks to students, library visitors, and staff. In total, 480 fungal colonies belonging to 15 genera and 28 species were recorded using the culture plate exposure method. The predominant taxa included Aspergillus/Penicillium, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria solani, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Curvularia lunata, Penicillium oxalicum, Epicoccum sp., Fusarium solanii, Fusarium oxysporum, Periconia sp., Rhizopus sp., and other Penicillium species. Many of these fungi are well-documented allergens and have been reported to cause adverse health manifestations—such as respiratory discomfort and skin irritation—among students, teaching staff, and book handlers exposed to airborne mycobiota. The present study aimed to investigate the aeromycological diversity within the Midnapore College Library and to conduct immuno-clinical assessments to identify specific serum IgE using both in vivo and in vitro diagnostic techniques. Individuals frequently visiting the library reported symptoms including eye irritation, headaches, itchy skin, sore throat, and severe asthma. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed a significant association between total and dominant spore concentrations and the health status of affected individuals. Clinico-immunological evaluations confirmed the allergenicity of Aspergillus fumigatus, with 39.5% of atopic individuals showing positive reactions in skin prick tests (SPT). Additionally, three novel sero-reactive proteins were identified, offering valuable insights for local clinicians in diagnosing and managing fungal-induced allergic conditions.

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Tanmoy Basak www.mdpi.com