Molecular detection of airborne Emergomyces africanus, a thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen, in Cape Town, South Africa.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Emergomyces africanus is a thermally dimorphic fungus that causes a systemic mycosis in immunocompromised persons in South Africa. Infection is presumed to follow inhalation of airborne propagules. We developed a quantitative PCR protocol able to detect as few as 5 Es. africanus propagules per day. Samples were collected in Cape Town, South Africa over 50 weeks by a Burkard spore trap with an alternate orifice. We detected Es. africanus in air samples from 34 days (10%) distributed over 11 weeks. These results suggest environmental exposure to airborne Es. africanus propagules occurs more commonly in endemic areas than previously appreciated.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Schwartz, IS; McLoud, JD; Berman, D; Botha, A; Lerm, B; Colebunders, R; Levetin, E; Kenyon, C

Published Date

  • January 2018

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 12 / 1

Start / End Page

  • e0006174 -

PubMed ID

  • 29357352

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC5800596

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1935-2735

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006174

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States