Monitoring anemophilous fungi at the Combat Sports Palace, San Francisco, Zulia, Venezuela.

Abstract

Anemophilous fungi are microorganisms that disperse through the air in high concentrations, contributing to infrastructure damage, toxin production, and even the spread of volatile substances. They can cause various infections, especially in people exposed to these environments for extended periods or in immunocompromised individuals. The objective of this work was to monitor the presence of anemophilous fungi at the Combat Sports Palace in San Francisco, Zulia, Venezuela. Sampling points were selected based on the infrastructure layout. Quantification of anemophilous fungi was performed using gravimetric techniques, employing triplicate Petri dishes with malt extract agar supplemented with 20% glucose. Identification of the anemophilous fungi was carried out according to the protocol suggested by Barnett and Hunter. The fungal load outside the building was reported at 2.3 x 10³ CFU/m³, while the indoor environment was at 1.62 x 10³ CFU/m³. Various fungal genera were found in both environments, with values exceeding permissible limits in the indoor rooms. Twenty- nine fungal genera were identified; 89.31% were present in the indoor environment and 55.17% in outdoor environments. The most abundant genera were Aspergillus spp., Curvularia spp., and Fusarium spp. Aspergillus spp. was prevalent in the nasal passages of athletes. The presence of clinically important fungal genera in the analyzed spaces, along with the high concentrations of fungi in the indoor environment, indicates insufficient hygiene. Improved cleaning practices and structural improvements, such as ventilation, are recommended.