[Moulds isolated from the upper sections of the respiratory and alimentary tracts of healthy veterinary medicine students].

Background: The mycological studies in healthy veterinary medicine students have been prompted by the fact that only a few publications are available to date on the occurrence of moulds in people identifying themselves as generally healthy and having direct contact with ill or dead animals.

Material And Methods: The research material comprised swabs from the oral cavity, nasal cavity and throat of one hundred students (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn) who declared good health. Initial cultures on the Sabouraud medium were incubated for 72 h at 37 degrees C, then sieved in the Czapek-Dox medium, where they were macroscopically assessed after two weeks. Forcing preparations produced with use of adhesive tape, were stained methylene blue with lactofenol.

Results: The studies identified 9 species of fungi from four genera: Aspergillus and Penicillium (mould), Scopulariopsis and Trichophyton (dermatophytes). Penicillium chrysogenum was a dominant feature. Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, A. versicolor and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis were often isolated. Moulds were also accompanied by yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis). Most of the fungi were isolated from the nasal cavity of nicotine abusers and those taking oral hormones.

Conclusions: Isolation of potentially pathogenic fungi from people declaring good health may indicate the carrier state or a lowered resistance at the time of material collection. This indicates the need to put a greater emphasis on prevention in subsequent mycological examinations of environmental risk groups.