What Is Hiding in the Israeli Mediterranean Seawater and Beach Sand.

J Fungi (Basel)

Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 562000, Israel.

Published: September 2022

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the presence of fungi that may affect human health in sand and water on Israeli Mediterranean Sea coast beaches.

Methods: The study included screening of the sand and water of six urban beaches from north to south on the Israeli Mediterranean coast. Sand samples were extracted with water, and the water wash was cultured and quantitated. Water samples were quantitated as well. MALDI-TOF MS analysis and ITS sequencing identified the fungi.

Results: The study considered several parameters: 1. Presence of fecal-contamination-related fungi; 2. Presence of dermal-infection-related fungi. 3. Presence of allergy-related fungi; 4. Presence of fungi posing risk for immunocompromised individuals. The screen revealed that about 80% of the isolates were molds and about 20% yeasts. The mold species included opportunistic pathogens and potential allergens: and other species, , and species. Yeast isolates included -including the human commensals and - and species.

Conclusions: The results suggest that beaches should be monitored for fungi for safer use, better management, and the benefit of public health.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9505208PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jof8090950DOI Listing

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