A disposable sampler for collecting volumetric air samples onto agar media - 25/08/11
Abstract |
Rationale |
Measurement of exposure to fungi continues to be of interest as an aid in the diagnosis of respiratory allergies. Settle or gravity plates, which are commonly used, provide little information about actual concentrations of fungal spores in the air. The well-known Andersen sampler is too expensive to send home with patients. We have developed and tested the Biocassette, a disposable version of the Andersen sampler.
Methods |
We have conducted 50 paired tests comparing the Biocassette with the Andersen. We compared total recoveries and recoveries of Penicillium graphically and statistically following transformation to approximate normality. Total recoveries were log-normally distributed, and transformed data from the two samplers was linearly related (y=0.6433x+2.083, R2=0.4748).
Results |
Paired T-tests on the log-transformed data failed to reject the null hypotheses (no difference between the two samplers). Penicillium data were subjected to a square root transformation to approximate normality. These transformed data were linearly related (y=0.7788x+2.2018, R2=0.5495, and no significant differences were revealed in the Paired T-Test.
Conclusions |
The Biocassette appears to produce results that are comparable to the Andersen sample both for total culturable fungi and for small spores as represented by Penicillium. The sampler should be a valuable addition to the allergist's environmental control arsenal.
El texto completo de este artículo está disponible en PDF. Funding: Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Inc. |
Vol 113 - N° 2S
P. S138 - février 2004 Regresar al númeroBienvenido a EM-consulte, la referencia de los profesionales de la salud.
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