Researchers from Sweden have developed a highly specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based system to measure a common airborne mould.

Researchers from the National Institute for Working Life and Ume? University, Sweden, have developed a highly specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based system to measure a common airborne mould in environmental samples. 

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Cladosporium is one of the most common airborne moulds and is found in both indoor and outdoor environments. Long-term exposure to the spores of this mould can cause chronic allergy and severe asthma in humans.

Using samples from five very different indoor environments led by Xiao-Ru Wang’s team used two real-time PCR methods to investigate the levels of Cladosporium

The results show that in three of the environments tested the concentration of Cladosporium spores were far higher than the medical borderline level (3000 spores m-3) highlighting the importance of being able to accurately monitor the levels of such micro-organisms.

The researchers hope that the methods they have developed can be used to provide rapid and accurate detection of Cladosporium in environmental samples.

Rebecca Lavender