species-specific fungal dna in airborne dust as surrogate for occupational mycotoxin exposure种特异的真菌dna在空中尘埃作为职业霉菌毒素风险代理.pdf

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2008, 9, 2543-2558; DOI: 10.3390/ijms9122543 OPEN ACCESS International Journal of Molecular Sciences ISSN 1422-0067 /journal/ijms/ Review Species-specific Fungal DNA in Airborne Dust as Surrogate for Occupational Mycotoxin Exposure? Anne Straumfors Halstensen National Institute of Occupational Health, Department of Chemical and Biological Working Environment, Gydasvei 8, Pb. 8 149 Dep., N-0033 Oslo, Norway E-Mail: anne.s.halstensen@stami.no; Tel. +47-23-19-53-38; Fax: +47-23-19-52-06 Received: 7 November 2008; in revised form; 8 December 2008 / Accepted: 10 December 2008 / Published: 10 December 2008 Abstract: Possible health risks associated with occupational inhalation of mycotoxin- containing dust remain largely unknown, partly because methods for mycotoxin detection are not sensitive enough for the small dust masses obtained by personal sampling, which is needed for inhalable exposure measurements. Specific and sensitive PCR detection of fungi with mycotoxin-producing potential seem to be a good surrogate for occupational exposure measurements that include all fungal structures independent of morphology and cultivability. Results should, however, be interpreted with caution due to variable correlations with mycotoxin concentrations. Keywords: Occupational exposure; mycotoxin exposure; inhalation; PCR; fungi. 1. Introduction Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that may exert immunosuppressive, e