First Characterization and Description of Series in French Bioaerosols.

Air quality can be altered by fungal contaminants suspended in the air, forming bioaerosols. section series are recurrent in bioaerosols and are mainly responsible for allergies and asthma aggravation. Phylogenetic studies recently identified 12 new species within this series. This study is the first to identify species of series in French bioaerosols and to characterize them macroscopically, microscopically and molecularly. Bioaerosols were collected in a cancer treatment center, in contaminated homes and in agricultural environments. A total of 93 isolates were cultured on selective media, observed by optical microscopy and identified by amplification before sequencing. The field data (temperature and relative humidity) were statistically tested to explore the ecology of these species. Eight species were identified from bioaerosols: and , which represent more than 80% of the isolates, and , , , , and . series are distributed differently depending on the sampling site and climatic determinants. was found in bioaerosols collected under significantly lower relative humidity ( = 3.899 × 10). Characterization and repartition of these isolates belonging to the series constitute an important step to better assess exposure to fungal bioaerosols.