Molecular and Culture-Based Identification of Aspergillus species in Water-Impacted Homes Following Hurricane María in Puerto Rico
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-14-2025
Abstract
Flooding caused by Hurricane María promoted fungal growth in homes across Puerto Rico, raising concerns about indoor air quality and health risks. This study focuses on identifying Aspergillus species from water-impacted homes in San Juan using culture-based and molecular methods. Aspergillus is a common indoor contaminant in moisture-damaged environments, with some species associated with significant health risks. However, species-level identification is often limited. To address this, we collected samples from 14 homes, identifying 28 Aspergillus isolates through morphological examination and gene sequencing of ITS2, beta-tubulin (benA), and calmodulin (CaM) genes. Species-level identifications of 22 isolates revealed species belonging to the subgenera Aspergillus, Nidulantes, and Circumdanti. We highlighted the CaM gene’s importance in molecular identification by phylogenetic analyses, which showed superior resolution in species differentiation. Culture-based methods also played a crucial role in differentiating closely related species, such as A. flavus and A. oryzae, which molecular methods alone could not reliably separate. Our findings underscore the challenges of Aspergillus identification in post-hurricane, water-impacted indoor environments and emphasize the value of integrating phenotypic and genotypic techniques for accurate species identification. These results contribute to a better understanding of fungal composition and its potential public health implications in disaster-affected settings.
Publication
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Nature Research
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pages
1-23
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Peer Reviewed
1
Publication History
Received 30 May 2025 | Accepted 10 September 2025 | Published 14 October 2025
Recommended Citation
Vélez-Torres, L. N., Bolaños-Rosero, B., Godoy-Vitorino, F., Rivera-Mariani, F. E., Maestre, J. P., Kinney, K., & Cavallin-Calanche, H. (2025). Molecular and culture-based identification of Aspergillus species in water-impacted homes following Hurricane María in Puerto Rico. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19869-9
Comments
L.N.V.T. contributed substantially to the study’s conception and design, performed the primary experiments, acquired, analyzed, and interpreted data, created tables and figures, and drafted the manuscript. B.B.R. supported acquiring and analyzing the culture-based experimental approach and contributed to manuscript revisions. F.G.V. assisted in the design of molecular experiments and contributed to manuscript revisions. F.E.R.M., J.P.M., K.K., and H.C. contributed to the review and substantive revisions of the manuscript. Each author has approved the submitted version with their contributions. All authors agree to be personally accountable for their contributions and to address any questions related to the accuracy or integrity of the study, ensuring any concerns are investigated and appropriately documented in the literature.