Comparison of the fungal flora in bedding and floor dust.

Abstract

House dust was simultaneously collected from bedding and bedroom floors in 40 homes between 2021 and 2022, and the fungal flora was examined using a culture-based method. Although there was no significant difference in the total fungal count between bedding and floors, several fungi taxa were found to be significantly more abundant in bedding. In particular, Alternaria spp. and Aspergillus section Versicolores were disproportionately more prevalent in bedding samples. Furthermore, compared to previous studies, an increase in wood flooring was observed in the sampled homes, suggesting a potential suppression of xerophilic house dust fungi such as Aspergillus section Restricti.