Species-specific Fungal DNA in Airborne Dust as Surrogate for

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http://mdpi.com/1422-0067/9/12/2543/pdf

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2008, 9, 2543-2558; DOI: 10.3390/ijms9122543

International Journal of

Molecular Sciences

ISSN 1422-0067

www.mdpi.com/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. 8149 Dep., N-0033 Oslo, Norway

E-Mail: anne.s.halstensen@...; 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 mycotoxincontaining

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.