8/9/2023 0 Comments Whats spore testing for![]() ![]() Practically, not every sample can be analyzed at 100%. The standard does not specify the minimum percentage of the sample trace to count and for good reasons. This is the only standard currently available for spore trap analysis. Because of eye fatigue, counting errors are likely to be higher for a sample trace analyzed at 100% than one analyzed at 25%.Īt MBL we use the ASTM Standard “ Standard Test Method for Categorization and Quantification of Airborne Fungal Structures in an Inertial Impaction Sample by Optical Microscopy (Designation: D 7391 – 17 e1)“. Depending on the experience of the analyst there are counting and identification errors. Analyzing spore traps by direct microscopy is a complex process and there are limitations. They are meant to give an idea of the types of spores present in the air and the concentrations of these spores relative to each other. First, spore traps are not meant to determine the actual spore count in the air. The simple answer to this question is NO. Asp/Pen- notice the non-uniform distribution of spores Is Analyzing 25% of Spore Trap Sample Trace Incorrect and Inaccurate? That means if the spores are not uniformly distributed in the air, even the position and the height at which we place the sampler would skew the results.Īnother factor that skew results is the fact that the spore concentration in a building varies not only with the season but also with the day and time of the day. In one study it was found that the spores of Aspergillus fumigatus can increase temporary to a significantly high concentration and then decline to “normal” level within 30 min only. This means the 5 or 10 minutes samples that are collected using spore traps are only a measure of spore concentrations at the time of sampling. The other factor that skews results is the fact that fungal spores are not uniformly distributed in the air. In a dusty environment spore traps get overloaded with dust making it difficult for the analyst to see the spores. Unfortunately the spore traps (Air-O-Cell, Allergenco, etc.,) are not designed to collect large volumes of air especially in a dusty environment. That means ideally we should collect and analyze 1000L of air because by collecting 75 or 150L of air, the samples are only 7.5% and 15% respectively of what should have been analyzed. ![]() However, the final spore count is reported as the number of spores per cubic meter of air. The volume of air collected for analysis is in most cases 75L or 150L. Perhaps the most important of these factors is the sample volume collected. Even if 100% of the sample trace is analyzed, the results of spore traps would still be skewed in one way or another. However, it is important to note that the accuracy of spore traps is affected by so many factors such that the contribution to inaccuracy/accuracy by the percentage of the sample trace analyzed in the lab is highly likely insignificant if at least 15% of the sample is analyzed. In fact, some people argue that analyzing less than 100% of the sample trace is incorrect, inaccurate and gives skewed results. Obviously analyzing 100% of the sample trace sounds better than analyzing say 15 or 25%. A few labs claim that they analyze 100% of the sample trace. For more detailed information on all SPORE grants, please visit the NCI Funded Research Portfolio.When enumerating airborne fungal spores, most labs, for practical reasons, analyze a percentage of the sample trace (often 15-25%) instead of 100%. The NFRP provides access to various NCI budget reports that contain information about research funding according to specific research categories. ![]() The NCI Funded Research Portfolio (NFRP) web site contains additional information about the SPORE grants listed below that have been funded by NCI. For more information on these SPORE grants and organ sites, please visit the Translational Research Program. SPORE grants involve both basic and clinical/applied scientists, and support projects that will result in new and diverse approaches to the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of human cancers. The Translational Research Program (TRP) is the home of the SPOREs, a cornerstone of NCI’s efforts to promote collaborative, interdisciplinary translational cancer research. Total funding shown represents the SPORE program using relevant P50s, P20s, and co-funded grants external to NCI. ![]() SPOREs are designed to enable the rapid and efficient movement of basic scientific findings into clinical settings, as well as to determine the biological basis for observations made in individuals with cancer or in populations at risk for cancer. Each SPORE focuses on a specific organ site, such as breast or lung cancer, or on a group of highly related cancers, such as gastrointestinal cancers. In 1992, the NCI established the Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE). ![]()
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