Microbial species such as bacteria and fungi can be transported by dust storms over long distances, and may change the mycobiota in downwind. This study aimed to evaluate phenotypes and genotypes of airborne fungi during the Middle Eastern dust (MED) events and normal days in Khorramabad, Iran. The samples were collected regularly every six days at three locations during April 2018–March 2019, with additional samplings during MED days. For phenotypic analyses, the Petri dishes were incubated at 25 °C for 72–120 h. Molecular identification of fungi was carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The average (±SD) of total fungal concentration was 460.9 (±493.2) CFU/m³. The fungi with the highest average concentrations included Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium brevicompactum, and Cladosporium iridis, respectively. The average concentration of fungi during dust days (967.65 CFU/m³) was 3.6 times higher than those in normal days (267.10 CFU/m³). During normal and dust days, 61 and 45 species were detected, respectively. Aspergillus and Cladosporium spp. were relatively more dominant during normal and dust days, respectively. Eight fungal species were only observed during MED days, including Talaromyces albobiverticillius that was detected for the first time in Iran. Despite air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were associated to the fungal concentrations. Dust events lead to the changes in the air pollutants composition and mycobiota, identification of new fungi, and elevated fungal concentrations that may extremely affect the public health.

中文翻译：

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评价中东沙尘暴中空运真菌的表型和基因型。

沙尘暴可将细菌和真菌等微生物传播到很长的距离，并可能在顺风时改变分枝杆菌。这项研究旨在评估在伊朗霍拉马巴德举行的中东尘埃（MED）事件和正常日期间空气传播真菌的表型和基因型。在2018年4月至2019年3月的三个地点定期每六天收集一次样本，在MED期间进行额外抽样。对于表型分析，将培养皿在25°C下孵育72–120 h。使用聚合酶链反应（PCR）进行真菌的分子鉴定。总真菌浓度的平均值（±SD）为460.9（±493.2）CFU / m ³。平均浓度最高的真菌包括Cladosporium cladosporioides，短青霉菌和鸢尾草。尘埃日的平均真菌浓度（967.65 CFU / m ³）是正常日（267.10 CFU / m ³）的3.6倍。在正常和沙尘天，分别检测到61和45种。曲霉和球孢属。分别在正常和沙尘天气中占主导地位。仅在MED几天内观察到了8种真菌，其中包括Talaromyces albobiverticillius在伊朗首次被发现。尽管有气温，但相对湿度和风速与真菌浓度有关。尘埃事件导致空气污染物成分和真菌菌群的变化，新真菌的鉴定以及真菌浓度升高，这可能会极大地影响公众健康。