Six Feet under Microbiota: Microbiologic Contamination and Toxicity Profile in Three Urban Cemeteries from Lisbon, Portugal.

ABSTRACT: Cemeteries are potential environmental reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms from organic matter decomposition. This study aimed to characterize the microbial contamination in three cemeteries, and more specifically in grave diggers' facilities. One active sampling method (impingement method) and several passive sampling methods (swabs, settled dust, settled dust filters and electrostatic dust cloths-EDC) were employed. The molecular detection of Aspergillus sections and SARS-CoV-2, as well as mycotoxin analysis, screening of azole resistance, and cytotoxicity measurement were also conducted. Total bacteria contamination was 80 CFU·m^-2 in settled dust samples, reached 849 CFU·m^-2 in EDC and 20,000 CFU·m^-2 in swabs, and ranged from 5000 to 10,000 CF

SUBMITTER: Viegas C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9146229 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature