Resumo

NAVAS-YAMARTE, Patricia; CAZORLA-PERFETTI, Dalmiro; MORALES-MORENO, Pedro  e  ACOSTA-QUINTERO, María. Evaluation of the fungal contamination of currency notes in Coro, Falcon state, Venezuela. Saber [online]. 2014, vol.26, n.2, pp.136-145. ISSN 1315-0162.

Paper currency is one of the objects most handled and exchanged by people, which could be a potential vehicle to transmit pathogenic microorganism. Between June and July 2013, a total of 154 currency notes (bolívares fuertes: Bs.F) from all denominations were randomly selected from trade centers and banks located in Coro, Falcon state, Venezuela. Sabouraud-agar was used as a solid medium for isolation of fungi using the conventional swab technique. One or more fungal taxa were recovered in 80.52% (124/154) of the examined currency notes, and Aspergillus niger (51.61%), A. nidulans (15.58%) and A. flavus (13.64%) were the most common isolated ones. The apparently clean and dirty/mutilated (100%) notes showed significantly higher contamination percentages than mint (0%) (X2 = 27.08; p < 0.001). There was not a statistically significant association between currency denomination and its emission dates with fungal contamination frequencies (p > 0.05). In the light of obtained results, it can be concluded that currency notes circulating in Coro, Falcon state, Venezuela, could serve as a potential means for dissemination of fungal spores. Sanitary education campaigns for the proper use and management of currency paper, is recommended.

Palavras-chave : Fungi; paper bills; fomites.

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