Are mycotoxins relevant to be studied in health care environments?

Susana Viegas, Beatriz Almeida, Carla Viegas

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mycotoxins are fungi metabolites produced by specific fungal genera and although the reported evidence about the health effects there is still a gap about data in health care enviroments. This study aimed to investigate if mycotoxins presence should be monitored in health care facilities by searching studies that reported fungal contamination by toxigenic fungi in different health care environments. The study involved a systematic search of available information/data published on PubMed during the period of 2010 until 31st December 2018. Among the 26 papers analysed, only in two the Aspergillus genera was not reported as the most prevalent. Additionally, other genera also with toxigenic potential were observed, namely Fusarium and Penicillium. The information gathered with this review allowed to conclude about the importance to assess mycotoxins in health care environments. Moreover, the analytical methods used should allow to detect low concentrations and multiple mycotoxins.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHealth and social care systems of the future
Subtitle of host publicationdemographic changes, digital age and human factors: proceedings of the Healthcare Ergonomics and Patient Safety, HEPS 2019
EditorsTeresa Patrone Cotrim, Florentino Serranheira, Paulo Sousa, Sue Hignett, Sara Albolino, Riccardo Tartaglia
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages237-247
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)9783030240660
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019
EventInternational Conference on Healthcare Ergonomics and Patient Safety, HEPS 2019 - Lisbon, Portugal
Duration: 3 Jul 20195 Jul 2019

Publication series

NameAdvances in Intelligent Systems and Computing
Volume1012
ISSN (Print)2194-5357

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Healthcare Ergonomics and Patient Safety, HEPS 2019
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityLisbon
Period3/07/195/07/19

Keywords

  • Exposure assessment
  • Fungi
  • Health care environments
  • Mycotoxins
  • Toxigenic

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