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Microbial Assessment in A Rare Norwegian Book Collection: A One Health Approach to Cultural Heritage.

Authors :
Sequeira, Sílvia O.
Pasnak, Ekaterina
Viegas, Carla
Gomes, Bianca
Dias, Marta
Cervantes, Renata
Pena, Pedro
Twarużek, Magdalena
Kosicki, Robert
Viegas, Susana
Caetano, Liliana Aranha
Penetra, Maria João
Silva, Inês
Caldeira, Ana Teresa
Pinheiro, Catarina
Source :
Microorganisms; Jun2024, Vol. 12 Issue 6, p1215, 17p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Microbial contamination poses a threat to both the preservation of library and archival collections and the health of staff and users. This study investigated the microbial communities and potential health risks associated with the UNESCO-classified Norwegian Sea Trade Archive (NST Archive) collection exhibiting visible microbial colonization and staff health concerns. Dust samples from book surfaces and the storage environment were analysed using culturing methods, qPCR, Next Generation Sequencing, and mycotoxin, cytotoxicity, and azole resistance assays. Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., and Cladosporium sp. were the most common fungi identified, with some potentially toxic species like Stachybotrys sp., Toxicladosporium sp., and Aspergillus section Fumigati. Fungal resistance to azoles was not detected. Only one mycotoxin, sterigmatocystin, was found in a heavily contaminated book. Dust extracts from books exhibited moderate to high cytotoxicity on human lung cells, suggesting a potential respiratory risk. The collection had higher contamination levels compared to the storage environment, likely due to improved storage conditions. Even though overall low contamination levels were obtained, these might be underestimated due to the presence of salt (from cod preservation) that could have interfered with the analyses. This study underlines the importance of monitoring microbial communities and implementing proper storage measures to safeguard cultural heritage and staff well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20762607
Volume :
12
Issue :
6
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Microorganisms
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
178192727
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12061215