Aspergillus spp. presence on mechanical protection gloves from the waste sorting industry

Project EXPOsE, nº 23222 (02/SAICT/2016)The organic material present on waste sorting units serve as a substrate for different microorganisms, increasing workers' exposure to Aspergillus spp. This study intends to assess the Aspergillus spp. contamination on Mechanical Protection Gloves (MPG) from different workstations and understand the role of MPG in workers' exposure to these genera. Sixty-seven used MPG were collected from different workstations and extracts were seeded on malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05%) and dichloran glycerol (DG18). The same extracts were used for the molecular detection of fungal species/strains, with reported toxigenic potential, namely Aspergillus sections (Circumdati, Flavi, Fumigati, and Nidulantes). Among Aspergillus spp., the sections with the highest prevalence on MEA were Nigri (88.29%) and Fumigati (8.63%), whereas on DG18 were Nigri (31.79%) and Circumdati (30.77%). Aspergillus section Circumdati was detected in 22 MPG samples by RT-PCR (32.84%), Fumigati in 59 samples (88.06%), Nidulantes in 61 samples (91.05%), and Flavi in 6 samples (8.96%). It was shown that, even with daily replacement, MPG presented Aspergillus spp. contamination. Thus, a more regular replacement of MPG and the adoption of complementary hygienic procedures by workers are critical to guarantee workers' protection in this occupational environment.