Mold Allergens in Indoor Play School Environment

Moulds are found in nature for the breakdown of leaves, wood, and other plant and animal materials. The spores of these moulds can be easily drifted by wind and travel distant places. Presence of these moulds in air can cause allergies to susceptible individuals. These moulds can directly enter into a building or their spores being carried by air in homes, offices and play schools. They are usually found to be growing on wood, dry wall, wall paper, fabric, ceiling tiles and carpeting. Air borne fungi can cause asthma and allergic rhinitis. The present study aimed to isolate and identify airborne fungi in different play schools of Visakhapatnam area. Gravity Petri-plate method is used to isolate filamentous fungus. The study was carried out for ten months viz. June 2015-March 2016. In one of the examined schools a high prevalence of fungi was observed. Most of the dominating fungi belonged to genera: Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, Rhizopus and Curvularia. Aspergillus flavus and Cladosporium Cldosporiodes were reported dominating in one of the play schools which show the possibility of allergy. One of the play schools reported more spores in indoor environment. The present study stated that the presence of air borne fungal concentration varied significantly in indoor play school. The study gives a data about allergic fungi in indoor play schools where the children are exposed to these fungal spores. A further detailed research is necessary to assess the exposure levels, influence of a climate conditions as well as the clinical aspects of the presence of allergic fungal spores.