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Radwan IT, El-Sherbiny IM, Metwally NH. Synergistic and potential antifungal properties of tailored, one pot multicomponent monoterpenes co-delivered with fluconazole encapsulated nanostructure lipid carrier. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14382. [PMID: 38909063 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63149-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Frequent and variant infections are caused by the virtue of opportunistic fungi pathogens. Candidiasis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis are pathogenic microorganisms that give rise to vast fungal diseases that alternate between moderate to fatal in severity. The use of fluconazole as an antifungal drug was limited due to the acquired resistance in some types of Candida and other fungal species. This study aims to consolidate fluconazole's biological effectiveness against several pathogenic fungi. Six active monoterpenes (MTs) of carvacrol, linalool, geraniol, α-terpinene, citronellal, and nerolidol were selected and encapsulated in nanostructure lipid carrier (NLC) with (NLC-Flu-MTs) and/without (NLC-MTs) fluconazole in one nanoformulation to determine if they will act synergistically or not? The synthesized nanoformulation NLC-Flu-MTs and NLC-MTs exhibited very good particle size of 144.5 nm and 138.6 nm for size and zeta potential values of (- 23.5 mV) and (- 20.3 mV), respectively. Transmission electron microscope investigation confirmed that the synthesized NLCs have regular and spherical shape. The abundance and concentration of the six released monoterpenes were determined, as a novel approach, using GC-MS with very good results and validity. In-vitro antifungal screening was done before and after nano co-delivery against seven pathogenic, and aggressive fungi of Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Geotrichum Candidum, Candidaalbicans, Aspergillus Niger, and mucor circinelloides. Inhibition Zone diameter (IZD) and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were measured. Nanoformulations NLC-Flu-MTs and NLC-MTs manifested potential and unique biological susceptibility against all the tested microorganisms with reduced (MIC) values, especially against Candida Tropicalis (MIC = 0.97 µg/ml) which represents 16-fold of the value shown by NLC-MTs (MIC = 15.6 µg/ml) and 64-fold of fluconazole free before nanoformulation (MIC = 62.5 µg/ml). The efficiency of nanomaterials, particularly NLC-Flu-MTs, has become evident in the diminishing value of MIC which affirmed the synergism between fluconazole and the other six monoterpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Taha Radwan
- Supplementary General Sciences Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Future University in Egypt, Cairo, 11835, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M El-Sherbiny
- Center for Materials Science (CMS), Zewail City of Science and Technology, 6th of October, Giza, 12578, Egypt
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Yu X, Yin Y, Wu Z, Cao H. An Assessment of Human Opportunistic Pathogenic Bacteria on Daily Necessities in Nanjing City during Plum Rain Season. Microorganisms 2024; 12:260. [PMID: 38399664 PMCID: PMC10892523 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The plum rain season is a special climatic phenomenon in east Asia, which is characterized by persistent rainfall, a high temperature, and humidity, providing suitable environmental conditions for certain pathogenic bacteria, thus increasing the incidence of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary diseases. However, studies on human opportunistic pathogenic bacteria communities during the plum rain season are still limited. In this study, the characteristics of human opportunistic pathogenic bacterial communities on daily necessities during the non-plum and plum rain seasons were investigated using high-throughput sequencing technology. The results revealed that the relative abundance of human opportunistic pathogenic bacteria was higher in the plum rain season (cotton cloth: 2.469%, electric bicycles: 0.724%, rice: 3.737%, and washbasins: 5.005%) than in the non-plum rain season (cotton cloth: 1.425%, electric bicycles: 0.601%, rice: 2.426%, and washbasins: 4.801%). Both temperature and relative humidity affected human opportunistic pathogenic bacterial communities. Stochastic processes dominated the assembly process of human opportunistic pathogenic bacterial communities, and undominated processes prevailed. The stability of the co-occurrence network was higher in the non-plum rain season than that in the plum rain season. In addition, the proportion of deterministic processes showed the same trend as the complexity of the co-occurrence network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yifan Yin
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Zuoyou Wu
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211112, China
| | - Hui Cao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.Y.); (Y.Y.)
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3
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Chawla H, Anand P, Garg K, Bhagat N, Varmani SG, Bansal T, McBain AJ, Marwah RG. A comprehensive review of microbial contamination in the indoor environment: sources, sampling, health risks, and mitigation strategies. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1285393. [PMID: 38074709 PMCID: PMC10701447 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1285393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The quality of the indoor environment significantly impacts human health and productivity, especially given the amount of time individuals spend indoors globally. While chemical pollutants have been a focus of indoor air quality research, microbial contaminants also have a significant bearing on indoor air quality. This review provides a comprehensive overview of microbial contamination in built environments, covering sources, sampling strategies, and analysis methods. Microbial contamination has various origins, including human occupants, pets, and the outdoor environment. Sampling strategies for indoor microbial contamination include air, surface, and dust sampling, and various analysis methods are used to assess microbial diversity and complexity in indoor environments. The review also discusses the health risks associated with microbial contaminants, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and their products in indoor air, highlighting the need for evidence-based studies that can relate to specific health conditions. The importance of indoor air quality is emphasized from the perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic. A section of the review highlights the knowledge gap related to microbiological burden in indoor environments in developing countries, using India as a representative example. Finally, potential mitigation strategies to improve microbiological indoor air quality are briefly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitikk Chawla
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Purnima Anand
- Department of Microbiology, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Kritika Garg
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
| | - Neeru Bhagat
- Department of Microbiology, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Shivani G. Varmani
- Department of Biomedical Science, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Tanu Bansal
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Andrew J. McBain
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ruchi Gulati Marwah
- Department of Microbiology, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
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4
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Tsekleves E, de Souza D, Pickup R, Ahorlu C, Darby A. Developing home cleaning intervention through community engagement to reduce infections and antimicrobial resistance in Ghanaian homes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10505. [PMID: 37380793 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37317-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) constitutes a health crisis, particularly in developing countries, where infectious disease are commonly fatal. There is clear evidence for microbial exposure and infection transmission within the home. Personal and environmental hygiene are the best ways of reducing household infections thus decreasing the need for antibiotics and consequently diminishing AMR. Despite this being an obvious step, research efforts to understand the home environment and its impact on AMR, cleaning and possible interventions on household cleaning are limited. We combined design and microbiology methods in an innovative mixed-method approach. A traditional survey design (n = 240), a design ethnography (n = 12), a co-design workshop and a pre-intervention microbiological dust sample analysis was undertaken to provide insights for codesign workshops in which new cleaning practices might be developed to minimise any AMR bacteria present in the household environments located in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Microbiological analysis of household dust showed that 36.6% of bacterial isolates detected were found to carry at least one resistance to the panel of antibiotics tested. Four scenarios were generated from an economic segmentation of the survey data. 50 ethnographic insights were 'presented' and descriptions of 12 bacteria species that showed resistance to one or more antibiotics (representing 176 bacterial isolates that showed resistance to one or more antibiotics found in the dust samples) were presented to the participants in a codesign workshop. An intervention, a new regime of cleaning practices agreed through the co-design workshop and practiced for thirty days, was made in (n = 7) households. The high prevalence of multidrug resistance observed in this study indicate the need for antibiotics surveillance program, not only in hospital settings but also in the household environment. There is, thus, an urgent need for targeting of interventions at the household level. Activating knowledge through community engagement in the research helps in increasing public perception and breaking down the scientist-public barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dziedzom de Souza
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Roger Pickup
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Collins Ahorlu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Andy Darby
- ImaginationLancaster, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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Zhou JC, Wang YF, Zhu D, Zhu YG. Deciphering the distribution of microbial communities and potential pathogens in the household dust. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 872:162250. [PMID: 36804982 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The reliance of modern society on indoor environments increasing has made them crucial sites for human exposure to microbes. Extensive research has identified ecological drivers that influence indoor microbial assemblages. However, few studies have examined the dispersion of microbes in different locations of identical indoor environments. In this study, we employed PacBio Sequel full-length amplicon sequencing to examine the distribution of microbes at distinct locations in a single home and to identify the potential pathogens and microbial functions. Microbial communities differed considerably among the indoor sampling sites (P < 0.05). In addition, bacterial diversity was influenced by human activities and contact with the external environment at different sites, whereas fungal diversity did not significantly differ among the sites. Potential pathogens, including bacteria and fungi, were significantly enriched on the door handle (P < 0.05), suggesting that door handles may be hotpots for potential pathogens in the household. A high proportion of fungal allergens (34.37 %-56.50 %), which can cause skin diseases and asthma, were observed. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed the essential ecological role of microbial interactions in the development of a healthy immune system. Overall, we revealed the differences in microbial communities at different sampling sites within a single indoor environment, highlighting the distribution of potential pathogens and ecological functions of microbes, and providing a new perspective and information for assessing indoor health from a microbiological viewpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Cheng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; International School of Beijing, Beijing 101318, China
| | - Yi-Fei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China.
| | - Dong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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6
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Cochran SJ, Acosta L, Divjan A, Lemons AR, Rundle AG, Miller RL, Sobek E, Green BJ, Perzanowski MS, Dannemiller KC. Spring is associated with increased total and allergenic fungal concentrations in house dust from a pediatric asthma cohort in New York City. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 226:10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109711. [PMID: 37215628 PMCID: PMC10193533 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Asthma and allergy symptoms vary seasonally due to exposure to environmental sources of allergen, including fungi. However, we need an improved understanding of seasonal influence on fungal exposures in the indoor environment. We hypothesized that concentrations of total fungi and allergenic species in vacuumed dust vary significantly by season. Objective Assess seasonal variation of indoor fungi with greater implications related to seasonal asthma control. Methods We combined next-generation sequencing with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to measure concentrations of fungal DNA in indoor floor dust samples (n = 298) collected from homes participating in the New York City Neighborhood Asthma and Allergy Study (NAAS). Results Total fungal concentration in spring was significantly higher than the other three seasons (p ≤ 0.005). Mean concentrations for 78% of fungal species were elevated in the spring (26% were significantly highest in spring, p < 0.05). Concentrations of 8 allergenic fungal species were significantly (p < 0.5) higher in spring compared to at least two other seasons. Indoor relative humidity and temperature were significantly highest in spring (p < 0.05) and were associated with total fungal concentration (R2 = 0.049, R2 = 0.11, respectively). Conclusion There is significant seasonal variation in total fungal concentration and concentration of select allergenic species. Indoor relative humidity and temperature may underlie these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J. Cochran
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Environmental Science Graduate Program. Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Luis Acosta
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Adnan Divjan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Angela R. Lemons
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Andrew G. Rundle
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, 10032, NY, USA
| | - Rachel L. Miller
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Edward Sobek
- Assured Bio Laboratories, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
| | - Brett J. Green
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Matthew S. Perzanowski
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Karen C. Dannemiller
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Sustainability Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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7
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Li Z, Zheng N, An Q, Li X, Sun S, Zhang W, Ji Y, Wang S, Li P. Impact of environmental factors and bacterial interactions on dust mite allergens in different indoor dust. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157177. [PMID: 35803427 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Indoor dust is the main carrier of indoor pollutants, especially dust mite allergens and bacteria, they can trigger asthma, rhinitis, eczema and other allergic diseases. However, the interactions between dust mite allergens and bacterial communities in different types of indoor dust are not clear. The study focused on particulate and flocculent fibrous dust, explored the concentrations of Der p 1 (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and Der f 1 (D. farinae) in 46 households in Changchun and their environmental influences, characterized the bacterial communities by high-throughput sequencing, and the interactions between Der p 1, Der f 1 and bacterial communities were explored. The results showed that Der p 1 and Der f 1 tended to accumulate more in flocculent fibrous dust, and Der p 1 predominated in the indoor dust samples. The floor height, years of housing occupancy and the living areas all affected the concentrations of dust mite allergens. In bacterial community, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were leading phyla in the two types of dust. Kocuria, Blastococcus and Massilia were dominating genera in particulate dust and Acinetobacter, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium_1 were dominating genera in flocculent fibrous dust. The overall diversity and species richness of bacteria in particulate dust were significantly higher than those in flocculent dust (p < 0.001). The living area was an important environmental factor affecting the bacterial community in flocculent fibrous dust (p < 0.01). The interaction between the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and dust mite allergen concentrations significantly differed between the two dust types, indicating that bacteria could be used both as food and to establish symbiotic relationships with household dust mites (HDMs) hosts and provide nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimeng Li
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Na Zheng
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China; Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
| | - Qirui An
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Xiaoqian Li
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Siyu Sun
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yining Ji
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Sujing Wang
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Pengyang Li
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
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8
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Li H, Zhou SYD, Neilson R, An XL, Su JQ. Skin microbiota interact with microbes on office surfaces. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 168:107493. [PMID: 36063613 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The indoor environment is recognized as a potential contributor to human health impacts through resident microbiomes. Indoor surface microbial communities are formed from several sources, environmental and anthropogenic. In this study, we characterized the bacterial and fungal communities from various sources typical of a working office environment including dust, fingers, and computer keyboards and mice. The composition of the dust bacterial community was significantly different from the other tested surfaces (P < 0.05), whereas the dust fungal community was only significantly different from fingers (P < 0.05). Bacterial and fungal communities were both shaped by deterministic processes, and bacterial communities had a higher migration rate. Results of a network analysis showed that the microbial community interactions of keyboards and mice were mainly competitive. Fast expectation-maximization microbial source tracking (FEAST) identified the sources of > 70 % of the keyboard and mouse microbial communities. Biomarkers for each sample types were identified by LDA Effect Size (LEfSE) analysis, some of which were soil-derived and potential anthropogenic pathogens, indicating the potential for exchange of microbes among outdoor, human and indoor surfaces. The current study shows that the source of microorganisms at the office interface is highly traceable and that their migration is linked to human activity. The migration of potentially pathogenic microbes were identified, emphasising the importance of personal hygiene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Li
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Shu-Yi-Dan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 723 Xingke Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Roy Neilson
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, UK
| | - Xin-Li An
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian-Qiang Su
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
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Johnston JD, Cowger AE, Weber KS. Bioaerosol and microbial exposures from residential evaporative coolers and their potential health outcomes: A review. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13082. [PMID: 36168234 PMCID: PMC9826010 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Evaporative cooling is an energy efficient form of air conditioning in dry climates that functions by pulling hot, dry outdoor air across a wet evaporative pad. While evaporative coolers can help save energy, they also have the potential to influence human health. Studies have shown residential evaporative coolers may pull outdoor air pollutants into the home or contribute to elevated levels of indoor bioaerosols that may be harmful to health. There is also evidence that evaporative coolers can enable a diverse microbial environment that may confer early-life immunological protection against the development of allergies and asthma or exacerbate these same hypersensitivities. This review summarizes the current knowledge of bioaerosol and microbiological studies associated with evaporative coolers, focusing on harmful and potentially helpful outcomes from their use. We evaluate the effects of evaporative coolers on indoor bacterial endotoxins, fungal β-(1 → 3)-D-glucans, dust mite antigens, residential microbial communities, and Legionella pneumophila. To our knowledge, this is the first review to summarize and evaluate studies on the influence that evaporative coolers have on the bioaerosol and microbiological profile of homes. This brings to light a gap in the literature on evaporative coolers, which is the lack of data on health effects associated with their use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - K. Scott Weber
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtahUSA
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10
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Kim D, Park JY, Lee DH, Lim JE, Moon HB, Kim S, Lee K. Simultaneous assessment of organophosphate flame retardants, plasticizers, trace metals, and house dust mite allergens in settled house dust. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13071. [PMID: 35904395 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Settled house dust (SHD) is a reservoir for various contaminants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), trace metals, and house dust mite allergens. This study aimed to characterize various chemical and biological contaminants in SHD and identify determinants governing the indoor contaminants. In total, 106 SHD samples were collected from 106 houses in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, Korea, in 2021. Bedding dust samples were collected from 30 of these 106 houses. All participants completed a questionnaire comprised of housing and lifestyle-related factors. The samples were analyzed for 18 organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), 16 phthalates, five alternative plasticizers (APs), seven trace metals, and two house dust mite allergens (Dermatophagoides farinae type 1 [Der f1] and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus type 1 [Der p1]). A multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the determinants governing the concentrations and profiles of various contaminants. OPFRs, phthalates, APs, and trace metals were detected in all SHD samples, indicating ubiquitous contamination in indoor environments. Among the three EDC groups, APs were detected at the highest concentrations (geometric mean [GM] (geometric standard deviation, [GSD]): 1452 (1.6) μg/g in total), followed by phthalates (GM (GSD): 676 (1.4) μg/g in total) and OPFRs (GM (GSD): 10 (1.4) μg/g in total). Der f1 was detected in all bedding dust samples with significantly higher levels than Der p1 (GM (GSD): 0.1 (1.8) μg/g vs. 1.4 × 10-3 (2.3) μg/g). The concentrations of OPFRs, plasticizers, and trace metals in SHD were significantly associated with the type and number of electronic appliances and combustion activities. Der f1 was significantly associated with the number of occupants and water penetration. Ventilation, vacuum cleaning, and wet cleaning or dry mopping significantly reduced the levels of most contaminants in SHD. As residents are persistently exposed to a wide array of pollutants, comprehensive and adequate measures are required to prevent potential exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghyun Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji Young Park
- Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Lee
- Consulting & Technology for Environment Health and Safety, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae-Eun Lim
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, South Korea
| | - Hyo-Bang Moon
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, South Korea
| | - Sungkyoon Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kiyoung Lee
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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11
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Borrego S, Vivar I, Molina A. Air- and dustborne fungi in repositories of the National Archive of the Republic of Cuba. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2022; 9:103-122. [PMID: 35647176 PMCID: PMC9113668 DOI: 10.15698/mic2022.05.776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
This study has as objectives to determine the concentration and diversity of the air- and dustborne mycobiota in seven National Archive of the Republic of Cuba repositories, and to assess the potential risk of biodeterioration that isolated taxa may have. In the indoor and outdoor environmental microbiological samplings a SAS biocollector was used and the indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio was determined for each repository. The settled dust was collected during six months. Sørensen's coefficient of similarity (QS) was calculated to compare the isolated taxa among the three studied niches (indoor air, dust, outdoor air). The biodegradation potential of the isolated taxa was determined by semi-quantitative tests. The concentrations in the air of repositories with natural cross-ventilation ranged from 225.2-750.3 CFU m-3, while in the Map library with air-conditioning the concentration was significantly lower. The I/O ratios ranged from 0.1-1.7 revealing different environmental qualities. The maximum settled dust load was 22.8 mg/m2/day with a top fungal concentration of 6000 CFU g-1. 14 and eleven genera were detected in the air and dust respectively with predominance of the genera Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium. A QS of 0.8 was obtained between the indoor and the outdoor environments with eleven taxa similar evidencing the incidence of outdoors on the indoor mycobiota. The isolated taxa showed several biodeteriogenic attributes highlighting twelve and 14 taxa from indoor air and dust respectively with positive results for the five tests performed. This demonstrates the potential risk that fungal environmental represent for the preserved documentary heritage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Borrego
- Conservation Preventive Laboratory, National Archive of the Republic of Cuba, Havana, Cuba
| | - Isbel Vivar
- Conservation Preventive Laboratory, National Archive of the Republic of Cuba, Havana, Cuba
| | - Alian Molina
- Conservation Preventive Laboratory, National Archive of the Republic of Cuba, Havana, Cuba
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D’Accolti M, Soffritti I, Bini F, Mazziga E, Mazzacane S, Caselli E. Pathogen Control in the Built Environment: A Probiotic-Based System as a Remedy for the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020225. [PMID: 35208679 PMCID: PMC8876034 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The high and sometimes inappropriate use of disinfectants and antibiotics has led to alarming levels of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and to high water and hearth pollution, which today represent major threats for public health. Furthermore, the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has deeply influenced our sanitization habits, imposing the massive use of chemical disinfectants potentially exacerbating both concerns. Moreover, super-sanitation can profoundly influence the environmental microbiome, potentially resulting counterproductive when trying to stably eliminate pathogens. Instead, environmentally friendly procedures based on microbiome balance principles, similar to what applied to living organisms, may be more effective, and probiotic-based eco-friendly sanitation has been consistently reported to provide stable reduction of both pathogens and AMR in treated-environments, compared to chemical disinfectants. Here, we summarize the results of the studies performed in healthcare settings, suggesting that such an approach may be applied successfully also to non-healthcare environments, including the domestic ones, based on its effectiveness, safety, and negligible environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria D’Accolti
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.D.); (I.S.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 13, 44122 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Irene Soffritti
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.D.); (I.S.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 13, 44122 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Francesca Bini
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.D.); (I.S.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Eleonora Mazziga
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.D.); (I.S.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Sante Mazzacane
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 13, 44122 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Caselli
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.D.); (I.S.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 13, 44122 Ferrara, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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13
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Falkinham JO. Ecology of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112262. [PMID: 34835388 PMCID: PMC8625734 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are opportunistic human pathogens that are widespread in the human environment. In fact, NTM surround humans. The basis for their widespread presence in soils and natural and human-engineered waters lies primarily in their disinfectant resistance, biofilm formation, and adaptability to fluctuating environmental conditions. As NTM in drinking water surround humans, a major route of infection is through aerosols. The characteristics of NTM, including resistance to disinfection, adherence to surfaces and biofilm formation, present challenges to contemporary water treatment processes developed for control of Escherichia coli and fecal coliforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph O Falkinham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Sánchez Espinosa KC, Rojas Flores TI, Davydenko SR, Venero Fernández SJ, Almaguer M. Fungal populations in the bedroom dust of children in Havana, Cuba, and its relationship with environmental conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:53010-53020. [PMID: 34021890 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14231-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The study of the fungal community composition in house dust is useful to assess the accumulative exposure to fungi in indoor environments. The objective of this research was to characterize the fungal diversity of house dust and its association with the environmental conditions of bedrooms. For this, the dust was collected from 41 bedrooms of children between the ages of 8 and 9 with a family history of asthma, residents of Havana, Cuba. The fungal content of each sample was determined by two methods: plate culture with malt extract agar and by direct microscopy. An ecological analysis was carried out from the fungal diversity detected. To describe the factors associated with the fungi detected, bivariate logistic regression was used. Through direct microscopy, between 10 and 2311 fragments of hyphae and spores corresponding mainly to Cladosporium, Coprinus, Curvularia, Aspergillus/Penicillium, Xylariaceae, and Periconia were identified. Through the culture, 0-208 CFU were quantified, where Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium predominated. The culturability evidenced the differences between the quantification determined by both methods. A positive relationship was found between the type of cleaning of the furniture, the presence of trees in front of the bedroom, indoor relative humidity, indoor temperature, the presence of air conditioning, and natural ventilation with specific spore types and genera. The use of two different identification methods allowed to detect a greater fungal diversity in the residences evaluated. Monitoring the exposure to these fungal allergens in childhood can help to prevent sensitization in the allergic child, the development of asthma, and other respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenia C Sánchez Espinosa
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 n. 455 e/I & J, Vedado, 10400, Havana, Cuba
| | - Teresa I Rojas Flores
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 n. 455 e/I & J, Vedado, 10400, Havana, Cuba
| | - Sonia Rodríguez Davydenko
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 n. 455 e/I & J, Vedado, 10400, Havana, Cuba
| | - Silvia J Venero Fernández
- National Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology, Infanta n. 1158 e/Llinás & Clavel, Cerro, 10300, Havana, Cuba
| | - Michel Almaguer
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 n. 455 e/I & J, Vedado, 10400, Havana, Cuba.
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Vishnu Sreejith M, Aradhana KS, Varsha M, Cyrus MK, Aravindakumar CT, Aravind UK. ATR-FTIR and LC-Q-ToF-MS analysis of indoor dust from different micro-environments located in a tropical metropolitan area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 783:147066. [PMID: 34088116 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Indoor dust is an important matrix that exposes humans to a broad spectrum of chemicals. The information on the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), their metabolites, and re-emerging contaminants in indoor dust is rather limited. As the indoor environment is exposed to various chemicals from personal care products, furniture, building materials, machineries and cooking/cleaning products, there is a high chance of the presence of hazardous contaminants in indoor dust. In the present study, dust samples were collected from four different micro indoor environments (photocopying centres, residential houses, classrooms, and ATM cabins) located in an urban environment located in India's southwestern part. The collected samples were subjected to ATR - FTIR and LC-Q-ToF-MS analyses. The ATR - FTIR analysis indicated the presence of aldehydes, anhydrides, carboxylic acids, esters, sulphonic acids, and asbestos - a re-emerging contaminant. A total of 19 compounds were identified from the LC-Q-ToF-MS analysis. These compounds belonged to various classes such as plasticisers, plasticiser metabolites, photoinitiators, personal care products, pharmaceutical intermediates, surfactants, and pesticides. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the presence of CECs in indoor environments in Kerala and also the suspected occurrence of pesticides (metaldehyde and ethofumesate) in classroom dust in India. Another important highlight of this work is the demonstration of ATR-FTIR as a complementary technique for LC-Q-ToF-MS in the analysis of indoor pollution while dealing with totally unknown pollutants. These results further highlight the occurrence of probable chemically modified metabolites in the tropical climatic conditions in a microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vishnu Sreejith
- Schoool of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India
| | - K S Aradhana
- School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), Kochi 682022, Kerala, India
| | - M Varsha
- School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), Kochi 682022, Kerala, India
| | - M K Cyrus
- Inter University Instrumentation Centre (IUIC), Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India
| | - C T Aravindakumar
- Schoool of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India; Inter University Instrumentation Centre (IUIC), Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India.
| | - Usha K Aravind
- School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), Kochi 682022, Kerala, India..
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Physiological Responses of Aspergillus niger Challenged with Itraconazole. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:AAC.02549-20. [PMID: 33820768 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02549-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus niger is an opportunistic pathogen commonly found in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. An environmental isolate of A. niger from a pig farm was resistant to itraconazole, and in-depth investigations were conducted to better understand cellular responses that occur during growth when this pathogen is exposed to an antifungal. Using a combination of cultivation techniques, antibiotic stress testing, and label-free proteomics, this study investigated the physiological and metabolic responses of A. niger to sublethal levels of antifungal stress. Challenging A. niger with itraconazole inhibited growth, and the MIC was estimated to be > 16 mg · liter-1 Through the proteome analysis, 1,305 unique proteins were identified. During growth with 2 and 8 mg · liter-1 itraconazole, a total of 91 and 50 proteins, respectively, were significantly differentially expressed. When challenged with itraconazole, A. niger exhibited decreased expression of peroxidative enzymes, increased expression of an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter most likely involved as an azole efflux pump, and inhibited ergosterol synthesis; however, several ergosterol biosynthesis proteins increased in abundance. Furthermore, reduced expression of proteins involved in the production of ATP and reducing power from both the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) and glyoxylate cycles was observed. The mode of action of triazoles in A. niger therefore appears more complex than previously anticipated, and these observations may help highlight future targets for antifungal treatment.
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Martin-Sanchez PM, Estensmo ELF, Morgado LN, Maurice S, Engh IB, Skrede I, Kauserud H. Analysing indoor mycobiomes through a large-scale citizen science study in Norway. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:2689-2705. [PMID: 33830574 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In the built environment, fungi can cause important deterioration of building materials and have adverse health effects on occupants. Increased knowledge about indoor mycobiomes from different regions of the world, and their main environmental determinants, will enable improved indoor air quality management and identification of health risks. This is the first citizen science study of indoor mycobiomes at a large geographical scale in Europe, including 271 houses from Norway and 807 dust samples from three house compartments: outside of the building, living room and bathroom. The fungal community composition determined by DNA metabarcoding was clearly different between indoor and outdoor samples, but there were no significant differences between the two indoor compartments. The 32 selected variables, related to the outdoor environment, building features and occupant characteristics, accounted for 15% of the overall variation in community composition, with the house compartment as the key factor (7.6%). Next, climate was the main driver of the dust mycobiomes (4.2%), while building and occupant variables had significant but minor influences (1.4% and 1.1%, respectively). The house-dust mycobiomes were dominated by ascomycetes (⁓70%) with Capnodiales and Eurotiales as the most abundant orders. Compared to the outdoor samples, the indoor mycobiomes showed higher species richness, which is probably due to the mixture of fungi from outdoor and indoor sources. The main indoor indicator fungi belonged to two ecological groups with allergenic potential: xerophilic moulds and skin-associated yeasts. Our results suggest that citizen science is a successful approach for unravelling the built microbiome at large geographical scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Martin-Sanchez
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eva-Lena F Estensmo
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Luis N Morgado
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sundy Maurice
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Inger Skrede
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Håvard Kauserud
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Abstract
Many factors and aspects of the construction and operation of buildings depend on climatic parameters and climatic zones, so these will be fundamental for adapting and mitigating the effects of climate change. For this reason, the number of climate-oriented publications in building is increasing. This research presents an analysis on the most-cited climate-oriented studies in building in the period 1979–2019. The main themes, the typologies of these investigations and the principal types of climatic zoning used in these studies were analysed through bibliographic and manual analysis. A broad spectrum of themes directly and indirectly related to climate and climatic zones and buildings was demonstrated. It was found that 88% of all climate-oriented investigations, to one degree or another, are within the scope of the general topic of energy conservation. A thorough understanding of all climate-dependent aspects will help in designing dwellings appropriately in different climate zones. In addition, a methodology that facilitates the establishment of a typology of climate-oriented research is presented. This typology can be used in future research in different scientific areas. It was also revealed that the climate zones of the National Building Codes of China, the USA and Turkey prevailed in the studies analysed.
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19
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Park JH, Lemons AR, Roseman J, Green BJ, Cox-Ganser JM. Bacterial community assemblages in classroom floor dust of 50 public schools in a large city: characterization using 16S rRNA sequences and associations with environmental factors. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:15. [PMID: 33472703 PMCID: PMC7819239 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00954-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing indoor microbial communities using molecular methods provides insight into bacterial assemblages present in environments that can influence occupants' health. We conducted an environmental assessment as part of an epidemiologic study of 50 elementary schools in a large city in the northeastern USA. We vacuumed dust from the edges of the floor in 500 classrooms accounting for 499 processed dust aliquots for 16S Illumina MiSeq sequencing to characterize bacterial assemblages. DNA sequences were organized into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and identified using a database derived from the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Bacterial diversity and ecological analyses were performed at the genus level. We identified 29 phyla, 57 classes, 148 orders, 320 families, 1193 genera, and 2045 species in 3073 OTUs. The number of genera per school ranged from 470 to 705. The phylum Proteobacteria was richest of all while Firmicutes was most abundant. The most abundant order included Lactobacillales, Spirulinales, and Clostridiales. Halospirulina was the most abundant genus, which has never been reported from any school studies before. Gram-negative bacteria were more abundant and richer (relative abundance = 0.53; 1632 OTUs) than gram-positive bacteria (0.47; 1441). Outdoor environment-associated genera were identified in greater abundance in the classrooms, in contrast to homes where human-associated bacteria are typically more abundant. Effects of school location, degree of water damage, building condition, number of students, air temperature and humidity, floor material, and classroom's floor level on the bacterial richness or community composition were statistically significant but subtle, indicating relative stability of classroom microbiome from environmental stress. Our study indicates that classroom floor dust had a characteristic bacterial community that is different from typical house dust represented by more gram-positive and human-associated bacteria. Health implications of exposure to the microbiomes in classroom floor dust may be different from those in homes for school staff and students. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyeong Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Angela R Lemons
- Health Effect Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jerry Roseman
- Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health & Welfare Fund & Union, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brett J Green
- Health Effect Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jean M Cox-Ganser
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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20
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Schaerer LG, Webb PN, Corazzola A, Christian WC, Techtmann SM. Impact of air, water and dock microbial communities on boat microbial community composition. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 131:768-779. [PMID: 33128819 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study explores the microbial diversity of sources which may influence boat microbial communities. We investigated the impact of dock, air and water microbial communities on the hull, transom and bilge microbial communities over the span of 11 days. METHODS AND RESULTS Using source tracking software, we investigated the extent to which each of our potential sources (air, water and dock) influenced the overall microbial community. This study concluded that the dock impacted 14-64% of the hull and transom microbial community. Micro-organisms from the water were shown to impact 5·6% the bilge microbial community but had minimal impact on hull and transom microbial communities. Micro-organisms from the air had minimal impact in all areas of the boat. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that micro-organisms from sources other than water can influence the microbial community of a boat, suggesting that terrestrial micro-organisms can impact the boat microbial community. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Outside of ballast tanks, microbial diversity on boats is largely unexplored. While ballast water is widely recognized as a route for dispersal of allochthonous micro-organisms, comparatively little is known about the microbial diversity on other areas of the boat. If the organisms on a boat originate from sources other than water, there is potential that terrestrial micro-organisms could be dispersed by shipping activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Schaerer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - P N Webb
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - A Corazzola
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - W C Christian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - S M Techtmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
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21
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White JK, Nielsen JL, Larsen CM, Madsen AM. Impact of dust on airborne Staphylococcus aureus’ viability, culturability, inflammogenicity, and biofilm forming capacity. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 230:113608. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Haines SR, Siegel JA, Dannemiller KC. Modeling microbial growth in carpet dust exposed to diurnal variations in relative humidity using the "Time-of-Wetness" framework. INDOOR AIR 2020; 30:978-992. [PMID: 32403157 PMCID: PMC7496831 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Resuspension of microbes in floor dust and subsequent inhalation by human occupants is an important source of human microbial exposure. Microbes in carpet dust grow at elevated levels of relative humidity, but rates of this growth are not well established, especially under changing conditions. The goal of this study was to model fungal growth in carpet dust based on indoor diurnal variations in relative humidity utilizing the time-of-wetness framework. A chamber study was conducted on carpet and dust collected from 19 homes in Ohio, USA and exposed to varying moisture conditions of 50%, 85%, and 100% relative humidity. Fungal growth followed the two activation regime model, while bacterial growth could not be evaluated using the framework. Collection site was a stronger driver of species composition (P = 0.001, R2 = 0.461) than moisture conditions (P = 0.001, R2 = 0.021). Maximum moisture condition was associated with species composition within some individual sites (P = 0.001-0.02, R2 = 0.1-0.33). Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Wallemia were common fungal genera found among samples at elevated moisture conditions. These findings can inform future studies of associations between dampness/mold in homes and health outcomes and allow for prediction of microbial growth in the indoor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Haines
- Environmental Science Graduate ProgramOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Geodetic EngineeringCollege of EngineeringOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Division of Environmental Health SciencesCollege of Public HealthOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Jeffrey A. Siegel
- Department of Civil and Mineral EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Karen C. Dannemiller
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Geodetic EngineeringCollege of EngineeringOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Division of Environmental Health SciencesCollege of Public HealthOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Sustainability InstituteOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
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Shan Y, Guo J, Fan W, Li H, Wu H, Song Y, Jalleh G, Wu W, Zhang G. Modern urbanization has reshaped the bacterial microbiome profiles of house dust in domestic environments. World Allergy Organ J 2020; 13:100452. [PMID: 32884612 PMCID: PMC7451671 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of allergy and other common chronic diseases is higher in developed than developing countries, and higher in urban than rural regions. Urbanization through its modification of environmental microbiomes may play a predominant role in the development of these conditions. However, no studies have been conducted to compare the microbiome in house dust among areas with different urbanization levels. Methods House dust from Xinxiang rural area (XR, n = 74), Xinxiang urban area (XU, n = 33), and Zhengzhou urban area (ZU, n = 32) in central China, and from Australia (AU, n = 58 [with pets AUP, n = 15, without pets AUNP, n = 43]) were collected during a summer season in China and Australia. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rDNA was employed to profile house dust bacterial communities. Results Settled dust collected in China was dominant with 2 bacterial phyla: Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, while floor dust collected in Australia had a higher proportion of phylum Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. XR dust samples presented higher bacterial richness and diversity compared with XU or ZU samples. Urbanization level (r2 = 0.741 P < 0.001) had a significant correlation with the distribution of house dust bacterial community. At the genus level, there was a positive correlation (r coefficient > 0.5) between urbanization level and bacterial genera Streptococcus, Bartonella, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Bacteroides, Corynebacterium_1,and Enhydrobacter and a negative correlation (r coefficient < −0.5) with Rhodanobacter. Conclusion There was a significant difference in house dust microbiota among different urbanization areas. The areas with a lower urbanization level presented higher dust-borne bacterial richness and diversity. Modern urbanization has a significant influence on the bacterial microbiome profiles of indoor dust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Shan
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, 4353003, P.R. China
- Henan International Laboratory for Air Pollution Health Effects and Intervention, Xinxiang, Henan Province, 4353003, P.R. China
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Public Health, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Jing Guo
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Wei Fan
- Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450000, P.R. China
| | - Huijun Li
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, 4353003, P.R. China
- Henan International Laboratory for Air Pollution Health Effects and Intervention, Xinxiang, Henan Province, 4353003, P.R. China
| | - Hui Wu
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, 4353003, P.R. China
- School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, P.R. China
- Henan Province General Medical Educations and Research Center, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, P.R. China
| | - Yong Song
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Geoffrey Jalleh
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Weidong Wu
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, 4353003, P.R. China
- Henan International Laboratory for Air Pollution Health Effects and Intervention, Xinxiang, Henan Province, 4353003, P.R. China
- Corresponding author. School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Street, Xinxiang, Henan Province, 453003, P.R. China.
| | - Guicheng Zhang
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
- Corresponding author. School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, Kent St, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia.
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Novak Babič M, Gostinčar C, Gunde-Cimerman N. Microorganisms populating the water-related indoor biome. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:6443-6462. [PMID: 32533304 PMCID: PMC7347518 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10719-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Modernisation of our households created novel opportunities for microbial growth and thus changed the array of microorganisms we come in contact with. While many studies have investigated microorganisms in the air and dust, tap water, another major input of microbial propagules, has received far less attention. The quality of drinking water in developed world is strictly regulated to prevent immediate danger to human health. However, fungi, algae, protists and bacteria of less immediate concern are usually not screened for. These organisms can thus use water as a vector of transmission into the households, especially if they are resistant to various water treatment procedures. Good tolerance of unfavourable abiotic conditions is also important for survival once microbes enter the household. Limitation of water availability, high or low temperatures, application of antimicrobial chemicals and other measures are taken to prevent indoor microbial overgrowth. These conditions, together with a large number of novel chemicals in our homes, shape the diversity and abundance of indoor microbiota through constant selection of the most resilient species, resulting in a substantial overlap in diversity of indoor and natural extreme environments. At least in fungi, extremotolerance has been linked to human pathogenicity, explaining why many species found in novel indoor habitats (such as dishwasher) are notable opportunistic pathogens. As a result, microorganisms that often enter our households with water and are then enriched in novel indoor habitats might have a hitherto underestimated impact on the well-being of the increasingly indoor-bound human population. KEY POINTS: Domestic environment harbours a large diversity of microorganisms. Microbiota of water-related indoor habitats mainly originates from tap water. Bathrooms, kitchens and household appliances select for polyextremotolerant species. Many household-related microorganisms are human opportunistic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Novak Babič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, Qingdao, 266555, China
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Gangneux JP, Sassi M, Lemire P, Le Cann P. Metagenomic Characterization of Indoor Dust Bacterial and Fungal Microbiota in Homes of Asthma and Non-asthma Patients Using Next Generation Sequencing. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1671. [PMID: 32849345 PMCID: PMC7409152 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The exposure of house occupants to indoor air pollutants has increased in recent decades. Among microbiological contaminants, bacterial and fungal aerosols remain poorly studied and the debate on the impact of these aerosols on respiratory health is still open. This study aimed to assess the diversity of indoor microbial communities in relationship with the health of occupants. Methods Measurements were taken from dwellings of 2 cohorts in Brittany (France), one with children without any pathology and the other with children and adults with asthma. Thirty dust samples were analyzed by next generation sequencing with a 16S and 18S targeted metagenomics approach. Analysis of sequencing data was performed using qiime 2, and univariate and multivariate statistical analysis using R software and phyloseq package. Results A total of 2,637 prokaryotic (589 at genus level) and 2,153 eukaryotic taxa were identified (856 fungal taxa (39%) and 573 metazoa (26%)). The four main bacterial phyla were identified: Proteobacteria (53%), Firmicutes (27%), Actinobacteria (11%), Bacteroidetes (8%). Among Fungi, only 136 taxa were identified at genus level. Three main fungal phyla were identified: Ascomycota (84%), Basidiomycota (12%) and Mucoromycota (3%). No bacterial nor fungal phyla were significantly associated with asthma versus control group. A significant over representation in control group versus asthma was observed for Christensenellaceae family (p-value = 0.0015, adj. p-value = 0.033). Besides, a trend for over representation in control group was observed with Dermabacteraceae family (p-value = 0.0002, adj. p-value = 0.815). Conclusions Our findings provide evidence that dust samples harbor a high diversity of human-associated bacteria and fungi. Molecular methods such as next generation sequencing are reliable tools for identifying and tracking the bacterial and fungal diversity in dust samples, a less easy strategy for the detection of eukaryotes at least using18S metagenomics approach. This study showed that the detection of some bacteria might be associated to indoor air of asthmatic patients. Regarding fungi, a higher number of samples and sequencing with more depth could allow reaching significant signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Gangneux
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Mohamed Sassi
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre Lemire
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre Le Cann
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
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26
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Ding LJ, Zhou XY, Zhu YG. Microbiome and antibiotic resistome in household dust from Beijing, China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 139:105702. [PMID: 32248025 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We spend ever-increasing time indoors along with urbanization; however, the geographical distribution patterns of microbiome and antibiotic resistome, and their driving forces in household environment remains poorly characterized. Here, we surveyed the bacterial and fungal communities, and the resistome in settled dust gathered from 82 homes located across Beijing, China, employing Illumina sequencing and high-throughput quantitative PCR techniques. There was no clear geographical distribution pattern in dust-related bacterial communities although a slight but significant (P < 0.05) distance-decay relationship occurred in its community similarity; by contrast, a relatively distinct geographical clustering and a stronger distance-decay relationship were observed in fungal communities at the local scale. The cross-domain (bacteria versus fungi) relationships in the microbiome of the dust samples were mostly observed as robust co-occurrence correlations. The bacterial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla, with human skin, soil and plants being potential major sources. The fungal communities largely comprised potential allergens (a median 61% of the fungal sequences), with Alternaria genus within Ascomycota phylum being the most predominant taxa. The profile of dust-related bacterial communities was mainly affected by housing factors related to occupants and houseplants, while that of fungal communities was determined by georeferenced environmental factors, particularly vascular plant diversity. Additionally, a great diversity (1.96 on average for Shannon index) and normalized abundance (2.22 copies per bacterial cell on average) of antibiotic resistance genes were detected across the dust samples, with the dominance of genes resistant to vancomycin and Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B. The resistome profile exhibited no distinct geographical pattern, and was primarily driven by certain bacterial phyla and occupancy-related factors. Overall, we underline the significance of anthropogenic impacts and house location in structuring bacterial and fungal communities inside homes, respectively, and suggest that household dust is an overlooked reservoir for antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Jun Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China.
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Guo J, Xiong Y, Kang T, Xiang Z, Qin C. Bacterial community analysis of floor dust and HEPA filters in air purifiers used in office rooms in ILAS, Beijing. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6417. [PMID: 32286482 PMCID: PMC7156680 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63543-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters remove not only particulate matter but also airborne microorganisms in indoor environments. We investigated the bacterial community in HEPA filters (used for 1 year) and that in the floor dust of 12 office rooms in Beijing. We found that the viable bacteria proportion in the filter was significantly higher than that in the floor dust (p < 0.001). The Non-Metric Multi-Dimensional Scaling analysis showed that the bacterial communities in the filters and dust were significantly different (p = 0.001). The Chao1, Shannon-Wiener and phylogenetic diversity values in the filter were significantly higher than those in the dust (p < 0.001). The predominant bacterial classes in the filter were Alphaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria, whereas those in the dust were Bacteroidia, Clostridia and Bacilli. Human occupancy contributed more to the bacterial community in the filter than that in the dust. Klebsiella and Alloprevotella in the dust and filters positively correlated with the occupancy density. Soil bacteria contributed to a significantly higher proportion of the bacteria in the HEPA filter (p < 0.001). In contrast, human oral, indoor air and outdoor haze contributed to a higher proportion of the bacteria in the dust samples (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). As HEPA filters serve as an ecological niche for indoor bacteria, they should be carefully investigated during the assessment of indoor environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, CAMS&PUMC, Beijing, 100021, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Model, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yi Xiong
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Taisheng Kang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, CAMS&PUMC, Beijing, 100021, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Model, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Zhiguang Xiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, CAMS&PUMC, Beijing, 100021, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Model, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Chuan Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, CAMS&PUMC, Beijing, 100021, China.
- Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Model, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100021, China.
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28
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Horve PF, Lloyd S, Mhuireach GA, Dietz L, Fretz M, MacCrone G, Van Den Wymelenberg K, Ishaq SL. Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2020; 30:219-235. [PMID: 31308484 PMCID: PMC7100162 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-019-0157-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In the constructed habitat in which we spend up to 90% of our time, architectural design influences occupants' behavioral patterns, interactions with objects, surfaces, rituals, the outside environment, and each other. Within this built environment, human behavior and building design contribute to the accrual and dispersal of microorganisms; it is a collection of fomites that transfer microorganisms; reservoirs that collect biomass; structures that induce human or air movement patterns; and space types that encourage proximity or isolation between humans whose personal microbial clouds disperse cells into buildings. There have been recent calls to incorporate building microbiology into occupant health and exposure research and standards, yet the built environment is largely viewed as a repository for microorganisms which are to be eliminated, instead of a habitat which is inexorably linked to the microbial influences of building inhabitants. Health sectors have re-evaluated the role of microorganisms in health, incorporating microorganisms into prevention and treatment protocols, yet no paradigm shift has occurred with respect to microbiology of the built environment, despite calls to do so. Technological and logistical constraints often preclude our ability to link health outcomes to indoor microbiology, yet sufficient study exists to inform the theory and implementation of the next era of research and intervention in the built environment. This review presents built environment characteristics in relation to human health and disease, explores some of the current experimental strategies and interventions which explore health in the built environment, and discusses an emerging model for fostering indoor microbiology rather than fearing it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F Horve
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Savanna Lloyd
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Gwynne A Mhuireach
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Leslie Dietz
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Mark Fretz
- Institute for Health and the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, 97209, USA
| | - Georgia MacCrone
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
- Institute for Health and the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, 97209, USA
| | - Suzanne L Ishaq
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.
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Simons A, Bertron A, Aubert JE, Roux C, Roques C. Characterization of the microbiome associated with in situ earthen materials. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2020; 15:4. [PMID: 33902730 PMCID: PMC8066951 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-019-0350-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current increase in public awareness of environmental risks is giving rise to a growth of interest in the microbiological safety of buildings. In particular, microbial proliferation on construction materials can be responsible for the degradation of indoor air quality that can increase health-risk to occupants. Raw earth materials are still widely used throughout the world and, in some cases, are linked to heritage habitats, as in the southwest of France. Moreover, these building materials are currently the subject of renewed interest for ecological and economic reasons. However, the microbial status of earthen materials raises major concerns: could the microbiome associated with such natural materials cause disease in building occupants? Very few analyses have been performed on the microbial communities present on these supports. Characterizing the raw earth material microbiome is also important for a better evaluation and understanding of the susceptibility of such materials to microbial development. This study presents the distribution of in situ bacterial and fungal communities on different raw earth materials used in construction. Various buildings were sampled in France and the microbial communities present were characterized by amplicon high-throughput sequencing (bacterial 16S rRNA gene and fungal ITS1 region). Bacterial culture isolates were identified at the species level by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. RESULTS The major fungal and bacterial genera identified were mainly associated with conventional outdoor and indoor environmental communities, and no specific harmful bacterial species were detected on earthen materials. However, contrary to expectations, few human-associated genera were detected in dwellings. We found lower microbial alpha-diversity in earthen material than is usually found in soil, suggesting a loss of diversity during the use of these materials in buildings. Interestingly enough, the main features influencing microbial communities were building history and room use, rather than material composition. CONCLUSIONS These results constitute a first in-depth analysis of microbial communities present on earthen materials in situ and may be considered as a first referential to investigate microbial communities on such materials according to environmental conditions and their potential health impact. The bacterial and fungal flora detected were similar to those found in conventional habitats and are thought to be mainly impacted by specific events in the building's life, such as water damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Simons
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, UMR 5503 UPS - CNRS - INPT, Toulouse, France.
- Laboratoire Matériaux et Durabilité des Constructions, Université de Toulouse, UPS - INSA, Toulouse, France.
| | - Alexandra Bertron
- Laboratoire Matériaux et Durabilité des Constructions, Université de Toulouse, UPS - INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Emmanuel Aubert
- Laboratoire Matériaux et Durabilité des Constructions, Université de Toulouse, UPS - INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Christophe Roux
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Sciences Végétales, Université de Toulouse, UMR 5546 UPS - CNRS, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Christine Roques
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, UMR 5503 UPS - CNRS - INPT, Toulouse, France
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30
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Waldron R, McGowan J, Gordon N, Mitchell EB, Fitzpatrick DA, Doyle S. Characterisation of three novel β-1,3 glucanases from the medically important house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (airmid). INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 115:103242. [PMID: 31520716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The European house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is a major source of airborne allergens worldwide and is found in half of European homes. Interactions between microbes and house dust mites (HDM) are considered important factors that allow them to persist in the home. Laboratory studies indicate the European HDM, D. pteronyssinus is a mycophagous mite, capable of utilising a variety of fungi for nutrients, however specific mycolytic digestive enzymes are unknown. Our previous work identified a number of putative glycosyl hydrolases present in the predicted proteome of D. pteronyssinus airmid and validated the expression of 42 of these. Of note, three GH16 proteins with predicted β-1,3 glucanase activity were found to be consistently present in the mite body and excretome. Here, we performed an extensive bioinformatic, proteomic and biochemical study to characterize three-novel β-1,3 glucanases from this medically important house dust mite. The genes encoding novel β-1,3 glucanases designated Glu1, Glu2 and Glu3 were identified in D. pteronyssinus airmid, each exhibited more than 59% amino acid identity to one another. These enzymes are encoded by Glu genes present in a tri-gene cluster and protein homologs are found in other acari. The patchy phyletic distribution of Glu proteins means their evolutionary history remains elusive, however horizontal gene transfer cannot be completely excluded. Recombinant Glu1 and Glu2 exhibit hydrolytic activity toward laminarin, pachyman and barley glucan. Excreted β-1,3 glucanase activity was increased in response to D. pteronyssinus airmid feeding on baker's yeast. Active β-1,3 glucanases are expressed and excreted in the faeces of D. pteronyssinus airmid indicating they are digestive enzymes capable of breaking down β-1,3 glucans of fungi present in house dust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Waldron
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Airmid Healthgroup Ltd., Trinity Enterprise Campus, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jamie McGowan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Human Health Research Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Natasha Gordon
- Airmid Healthgroup Ltd., Trinity Enterprise Campus, Dublin, Ireland
| | - E Bruce Mitchell
- Airmid Healthgroup Ltd., Trinity Enterprise Campus, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David A Fitzpatrick
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Human Health Research Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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Hui N, Parajuli A, Puhakka R, Grönroos M, Roslund MI, Vari HK, Selonen VAO, Yan G, Siter N, Nurminen N, Oikarinen S, Laitinen OH, Rajaniemi J, Hyöty H, Sinkkonen A. Temporal variation in indoor transfer of dirt-associated environmental bacteria in agricultural and urban areas. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 132:105069. [PMID: 31400602 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
An agricultural environment and exposure to diverse environmental microbiota has been suggested to confer protection against immune-mediated disorders. As an agricultural environment may have a protective role, it is crucial to determine whether the limiting factors in the transfer of environmental microbiota indoors are the same in the agricultural and urban environments. We explored how sampling month, garden diversity and animal ownership affected the indoor-transfer of environmental microbial community. We collected litter from standardized doormats used for 2 weeks in June and August 2015 and February 2016 and identified bacterial phylotypes using 16S rRNA Illumina MiSeq sequencing. In February, the diversity and richness of the whole bacterial community and the relative abundance of environment-associated taxa were reduced, whereas human-associated taxa and genera containing opportunistic pathogens were enriched in the doormats. In summer, the relative abundances of several taxa associated previously with beneficial health effects were higher, particularly in agricultural areas. Surprisingly, the importance of vegetation on doormat microbiota was more observable in February, which may have resulted from snow cover that prevented contact with microbes in soil. Animal ownership increased the prevalence of genera Bacteroides and Acinetobacter in rural doormats. These findings underline the roles of season, living environment and lifestyle in the temporal variations in the environmental microbial community carried indoors. As reduced contact with diverse microbiota is a potential reason for immune system dysfunction, the results may have important implications in the etiology of immune-mediated, non-communicable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Hui
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Lahti, Finland
| | - Anirudra Parajuli
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Lahti, Finland.
| | - Riikka Puhakka
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Lahti, Finland
| | - Mira Grönroos
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Lahti, Finland
| | - Marja I Roslund
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Lahti, Finland
| | - Heli K Vari
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Lahti, Finland
| | - Ville A O Selonen
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Lahti, Finland
| | - Guoyang Yan
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Lahti, Finland
| | - Nathan Siter
- Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Noora Nurminen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Sami Oikarinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Olli H Laitinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Juho Rajaniemi
- Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Heikki Hyöty
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Aki Sinkkonen
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Lahti, Finland.
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Richardson M, Bowyer P, Sabino R. The human lung and Aspergillus: You are what you breathe in? Med Mycol 2019; 57:S145-S154. [PMID: 30816978 PMCID: PMC6394755 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity of fungal species comprising the lung mycobiome is a reflection of exposure to environmental and endogenous filamentous fungi and yeasts. Most lung mycobiome studies have been culture-based. A few have utilized next generation sequencing (NGS). Despite the low number of published NGS studies, several themes emerge from the literature: (1) moulds and yeasts are present in the human respiratory tract, even during health; (2) the fungi present in the respiratory tract are highly variable between individuals; and (3) many diseases are accompanied by decreased diversity of fungi in the lungs. Even in patients with the same disease, different patients have been shown to harbor distinct fungal communities. Those fungal species present in any one individual may represent a patient's unique environmental exposure(s), either to species restricted to the indoor environment, for example, Penicillium, or species found in the outdoor environment such as Aspergillus, wood and vegetation colonizing fungi and plant pathogens. In addition to causing clinical fungal infections, the lung mycobiome may have inflammatory effects that can cause or worsen lung disease. Most respiratory diseases that have been studied, have been associated with decreases in fungal diversity. However, none of these diversity studies distinguish between accidental, transient fungal colonizers and true residents of the respiratory tract. Where does Aspergillus feature in the mycobiomes of the respiratory tract? Do these mycobiomes reflect the diversity of fungi in outdoor and internal environments? These intriguing questions are explored here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm Richardson
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, ECMM Centre of Excellence, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul Bowyer
- Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Raquel Sabino
- Nacional Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge - URSZ- Infectious Diseases Department, Lisbon, Portugal
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Sylvain IA, Adams RI, Taylor JW. A different suite: The assemblage of distinct fungal communities in water-damaged units of a poorly-maintained public housing building. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213355. [PMID: 30883565 PMCID: PMC6422403 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Water-damaged housing has been associated with a number of negative health outcomes, principally respiratory disease and asthma. Much of what we know about fungi associated with water-damaged buildings has come from culture-based and immunochemical methods. Few studies have used high-throughput sequencing technologies to assess the impact of water-damage on microbial communities in residential buildings. In this study we used amplicon sequencing and quantitative-PCR to evaluate fungal communities on surfaces and in airborne dust in multiple units of a condemned public housing project located in the San Francisco Bay Area. We recruited 21 households to participate in this study and characterized their apartments as either a unit with visible mold or no visible mold. We sampled airborne fungi from dust settled over a month-long time period from the outdoors, in units with no visible mold, and units with visible mold. In units with visible mold we additionally sampled the visible fungal colonies from bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms. We found that fungal biomass in settled dust was greater outdoors compared to indoors, but there was no significant difference of fungal biomass in units with visible mold and no visible mold. Interestingly, we found that fungal diversity was reduced in units with visible mold compared to units with no visible mold and the outdoors. Units with visible mold harbored fungal communities distinct from units with no visible mold and the outdoors. Units with visible mold had a greater abundance of taxa within the classes Eurotiomycetes, Saccharomycetes, and Wallemiomycetes. Colonies of fungi collected from units with visible mold were dominated by two Cladosporium species, C. sphaerospermum and C halotolerans. This study demonstrates that high-throughput sequencing of fungi indoors can be a useful strategy for distinguishing distinct microbial exposures in water-damaged homes with visible and nonvisible mold growth, and may provide a microbial means for identifying water damaged housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman A. Sylvain
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Rachel I. Adams
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - John W. Taylor
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
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Huttunen K, Wlodarczyk AJ, Tirkkonen J, Mikkonen S, Täubel M, Krop E, Jacobs J, Pekkanen J, Heederik D, Zock JP, Hyvärinen A, Hirvonen MR, Adams R, Jones T, Zimmermann R, BéruBé K. Oxidative capacity and hemolytic activity of settled dust from moisture-damaged schools. INDOOR AIR 2019; 29:299-307. [PMID: 30575131 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to moisture-damaged indoor environments is associated with adverse respiratory health effects, but responsible factors remain unidentified. In order to explore possible mechanisms behind these effects, the oxidative capacity and hemolytic activity of settled dust samples (n = 25) collected from moisture-damaged and non-damaged schools in Spain, the Netherlands, and Finland were evaluated and matched against the microbial content of the sample. Oxidative capacity was determined with plasmid scission assay and hemolytic activity by assessing the damage to isolated human red blood cells. The microbial content of the samples was measured with quantitative PCR assays for selected microbial groups and by analyzing the cell wall markers ergosterol, muramic acid, endotoxins, and glucans. The moisture observations in the schools were associated with some of the microbial components in the dust, and microbial determinants grouped together increased the oxidative capacity. Oxidative capacity was also affected by particle concentration and country of origin. Two out of 14 studied dust samples from moisture-damaged schools demonstrated some hemolytic activity. The results indicate that the microbial component connected with moisture damage is associated with increased oxidative stress and that hemolysis should be studied further as one possible mechanism contributing to the adverse health effects of moisture-damaged buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kati Huttunen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health (HICE), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Anna J Wlodarczyk
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health (HICE), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jenni Tirkkonen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Santtu Mikkonen
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Martin Täubel
- Environmental Health Unit, Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Esmeralda Krop
- Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - José Jacobs
- Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Juha Pekkanen
- Environmental Health Unit, Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dick Heederik
- Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan-Paul Zock
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Anne Hyvärinen
- Environmental Health Unit, Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maija-Riitta Hirvonen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health (HICE), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Rachel Adams
- Cardiff School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Tim Jones
- School of Earth & Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Ralf Zimmermann
- Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health (HICE), Neuherberg, Germany
- Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Institute of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Kelly BéruBé
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health (HICE), Neuherberg, Germany
- Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering & Repair (CITER), Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
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Shan Y, Wu W, Fan W, Haahtela T, Zhang G. House dust microbiome and human health risks. Int Microbiol 2019; 22:297-304. [DOI: 10.1007/s10123-019-00057-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The evolution of molecular-based methods over the last two decades has provided new approaches to identify and characterize fungal communities or "mycobiomes" at resolutions previously not possible using traditional hazard identification methods. The recent focus on fungal community assemblages within indoor environments has provided renewed insight into overlooked sources of fungal exposure. In occupational studies, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequencing has recently been utilized in a variety of environments ranging from indoor office buildings to agricultural commodity and harvesting operations. RECENT FINDINGS Fungal communities identified in occupational environments have been primarily placed in the phylum Ascomycota and included classes typically identified using traditional fungal exposure methods such as the Eurotiomycetes, Dothideomycetes, Sordariomycetes, and Saccharomycetes. The phylum Basidiomycota has also been reported to be more prevalent than previously estimated and ITS region sequences have been primarily derived from the classes Agaricomycetes and Ustilaginomycetes. These studies have also resolved sequences placed in the Basidiomycota classes Tremellomycetes and Exobasidiomycetes that include environmental and endogenous yeast species. These collective datasets have shown that occupational fungal exposures include a much broader diversity of fungi than once thought. Although the clinical implications for occupational allergy are an emerging field of research, establishing the mycobiome in occupational environments will be critical for future studies to determine the complete spectrum of worker exposures to fungal bioaerosols and their impact on worker health.
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Gustafsson Å, Krais AM, Gorzsás A, Lundh T, Gerde P. Isolation and characterization of a respirable particle fraction from residential house-dust. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 161:284-290. [PMID: 29172162 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Indoor air pollution has caused increasing concern in recent years. As we spend most of our lives indoors, it is crucial to understand the health effects caused by indoor air pollution. Household dust serve as good proxy for accessing indoor air pollution, especially smaller dust particles that can pass into the lungs are of interest. In this study we present an efficient method for the isolation of dust particles in the respirable size range. The respirable fraction was recovered from vacuum cleaner bags, separated by stepwise sieving, followed by characterization for size, morphology, surface area, organic content and elemental composition. The respirable fraction was obtained in a yield of 0.6% with a specific surface area of 2.5m2/g and a Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter of 3.73 ± 0.15µm. Aluminum and zink were the dominating metals measured in the dust, whereas the major mineral components were found to be silicon dioxide and calcium carbonate. The fraction of organic matter in the dust was measured to be 69 ± 1%. The organic matrix contained bacterial and fungi and a presence of skin fragments. We present here an efficient and fast method for the isolation of dust particles in the respirable size range. That is of considerable value due to the need for large quantities of respirable particle fractions to conduct toxicological studies and risk assessment work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Åsa Gustafsson
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Forskargatan 20, SE-151 36 Södertälje, Sweden; Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Linnaeus väg 6, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Annette M Krais
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Forskargatan 20, SE-151 36 Södertälje, Sweden; Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - András Gorzsás
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Linnaeus väg 6, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Thomas Lundh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Per Gerde
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Forskargatan 20, SE-151 36 Södertälje, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska Institutet, Box 287, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
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Dobbler PCT, Laureano ÁM, Sarzi DS, Cañón ERP, Metz GF, de Freitas AS, Takagaki BM, D Oliveira CB, Pylro VS, Copetti AC, Victoria F, Redmile-Gordon M, Morais DK, Roesch LFW. Differences in bacterial composition between men's and women's restrooms and other common areas within a public building. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2017; 111:551-561. [PMID: 29127623 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-017-0976-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Humans distribute a wide range of microorganisms around building interiors, and some of these are potentially pathogenic. Recent research established that humans are the main drivers of the indoor microbiome and up to now significant literature has been produced about this topic. Here we analyzed differences in bacterial composition between men's and women's restrooms and other common areas within the same public building. Bacterial DNA samples were collected from restrooms and halls of a three-floor building from the Federal University of Pampa, RS, Brazil. The bacterial community was characterized by amplification of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and sequencing. Throughout all samples, the most abundant phylum was Proteobacteria, followed by Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Beta diversity metrics showed that the structure of the bacterial communities were different among the areas and floors tested, however, only 6-9% of the variation in bacterial communities was explained by the area and floors sampled. A few microorganisms showed significantly differential abundance between men's and women's restrooms, but in general, the bacterial communities from both places were very similar. Finally, significant differences among the microbial community profile from different floors were reported, suggesting that the type of use and occupant demographic within the building may directly influence bacterial dispersion and establishment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Caroline Thiago Dobbler
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil
| | - Álvaro Macedo Laureano
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil
| | - Deise Schroder Sarzi
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil
| | - Ehidy Rocio Peña Cañón
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil
| | - Geferson Fernando Metz
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil
| | - Anderson Santos de Freitas
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Midori Takagaki
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Barbosa D Oliveira
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil
| | - Victor Satler Pylro
- Soil Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Soil Science, Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo - ESALQ/USP, Av Pádua Dias, 11 CP 09, Piracicaba, São Paulo, 13400-970, Brazil
| | - André Carlos Copetti
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil
| | - Filipe Victoria
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil
| | - Marc Redmile-Gordon
- Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Daniel Kumazawa Morais
- Biosystems Informatics and Genomics Group, René Rachou Research Center, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fernando Wurdig Roesch
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Avenida Antônio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, 97300-000, Brazil.
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Schwendner P, Mahnert A, Koskinen K, Moissl-Eichinger C, Barczyk S, Wirth R, Berg G, Rettberg P. Preparing for the crewed Mars journey: microbiota dynamics in the confined Mars500 habitat during simulated Mars flight and landing. MICROBIOME 2017; 5:129. [PMID: 28974259 PMCID: PMC5627443 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-017-0345-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Mars500 project was conceived as the first full duration simulation of a crewed return flight to Mars. For 520 days, six crew members lived confined in a specifically designed spacecraft mock-up. The herein described "MIcrobial ecology of Confined Habitats and humAn health" (MICHA) experiment was implemented to acquire comprehensive microbiota data from this unique, confined manned habitat, to retrieve important information on the occurring microbiota dynamics, the microbial load and diversity in the air and on various surfaces. In total, 360 samples from 20 (9 air, 11 surface) locations were taken at 18 time-points and processed by extensive cultivation, PhyloChip and next generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. RESULTS Cultivation assays revealed a Staphylococcus and Bacillus-dominated microbial community on various surfaces, with an average microbial load that did not exceed the allowed limits for ISS in-flight requirements indicating adequate maintenance of the facility. Areas with high human activity were identified as hotspots for microbial accumulation. Despite substantial fluctuation with respect to microbial diversity and abundance throughout the experiment, the location within the facility and the confinement duration were identified as factors significantly shaping the microbial diversity and composition, with the crew representing the main source for microbial dispersal. Opportunistic pathogens, stress-tolerant or potentially mobile element-bearing microorganisms were predicted to be prevalent throughout the confinement, while the overall microbial diversity dropped significantly over time. CONCLUSIONS Our findings clearly indicate that under confined conditions, the community structure remains a highly dynamic system which adapts to the prevailing habitat and micro-conditions. Since a sterile environment is not achievable, these dynamics need to be monitored to avoid spreading of highly resistant or potentially pathogenic microorganisms and a potentially harmful decrease of microbial diversity. If necessary, countermeasures are required, to maintain a healthy, diverse balance of beneficial, neutral and opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms. Our results serve as an important data collection for (i) future risk estimations of crewed space flight, (ii) an optimized design and planning of a spacecraft mission and (iii) for the selection of appropriate microbial monitoring approaches and potential countermeasures, to ensure a microbiologically safe space-flight environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Schwendner
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center e.V. (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
- Institute for Microbiology, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Present address: UK Center for Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh, School of Physics and Astronomy, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD UK
| | - Alexander Mahnert
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12/I, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Kaisa Koskinen
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Simon Barczyk
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center e.V. (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
| | - Reinhard Wirth
- Institute for Microbiology, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12/I, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center e.V. (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
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Abstract
Xerophilic fungi, especially Aspergillus species, are prevalent in the built environment. In this study, we employed a combined culture-independent (454-pyrosequencing) and culture-dependent (dilution-to-extinction) approach to investigate the mycobiota of indoor dust collected from 93 buildings in 12 countries worldwide. High and low water activity (aw) media were used to capture mesophile and xerophile biodiversity, resulting in the isolation of approximately 9 000 strains. Among these, 340 strains representing seven putative species in Aspergillus subgenus Polypaecilum were isolated, mostly from lowered aw media, and tentatively identified based on colony morphology and internal transcribed spacer rDNA region (ITS) barcodes. Further morphological study and phylogenetic analyses using sequences of ITS, β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), DNA topoisomerase 1 (TOP1), and a pre-mRNA processing protein homolog (TSR1) confirmed the isolation of seven species of subgenus Polypaecilum, including five novel species: A. baarnensis, A. keratitidis, A. kalimae sp. nov., A. noonimiae sp. nov., A. thailandensis sp. nov., A. waynelawii sp. nov., and A. whitfieldii sp. nov. Pyrosequencing detected six of the seven species isolated from house dust, as well as one additional species absent from the cultures isolated, and three clades representing potentially undescribed species. Species were typically found in house dust from subtropical and tropical climates, often in close proximity to the ocean or sea. The presence of subgenus Polypaecilum, a recently described clade of xerophilic/xerotolerant, halotolerant/halophilic, and potentially zoopathogenic species, within the built environment is noteworthy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.B. Tanney
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Biodiversity (Mycology and Microbiology), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - C.M. Visagie
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Biodiversity (Mycology and Microbiology), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Biosystematics Division, ARC-Plant Health and Protection, P/BagX134, Queenswood, 0121 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - N. Yilmaz
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Biodiversity (Mycology and Microbiology), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - K.A. Seifert
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Biodiversity (Mycology and Microbiology), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
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Cardinale M, Kaiser D, Lueders T, Schnell S, Egert M. Microbiome analysis and confocal microscopy of used kitchen sponges reveal massive colonization by Acinetobacter, Moraxella and Chryseobacterium species. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5791. [PMID: 28725026 PMCID: PMC5517580 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06055-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The built environment (BE) and in particular kitchen environments harbor a remarkable microbial diversity, including pathogens. We analyzed the bacterial microbiome of used kitchen sponges by 454–pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes and fluorescence in situ hybridization coupled with confocal laser scanning microscopy (FISH–CLSM). Pyrosequencing showed a relative dominance of Gammaproteobacteria within the sponge microbiota. Five of the ten most abundant OTUs were closely related to risk group 2 (RG2) species, previously detected in the BE and kitchen microbiome. Regular cleaning of sponges, indicated by their users, significantly affected the microbiome structure. Two of the ten dominant OTUs, closely related to the RG2-species Chryseobacterium hominis and Moraxella osloensis, showed significantly greater proportions in regularly sanitized sponges, thereby questioning such sanitation methods in a long term perspective. FISH–CLSM showed an ubiquitous distribution of bacteria within the sponge tissue, concentrating in internal cavities and on sponge surfaces, where biofilm–like structures occurred. Image analysis showed local densities of up to 5.4 * 1010 cells per cm3, and confirmed the dominance of Gammaproteobacteria. Our study stresses and visualizes the role of kitchen sponges as microbiological hot spots in the BE, with the capability to collect and spread bacteria with a probable pathogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Cardinale
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Research Center for BioSystems, Land Use, and Nutrition (IFZ), Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dominik Kaiser
- Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Institute of Precision Medicine (IPM), Microbiology and Hygiene Group, Furtwangen University, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Tillmann Lueders
- Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sylvia Schnell
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Research Center for BioSystems, Land Use, and Nutrition (IFZ), Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Markus Egert
- Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Institute of Precision Medicine (IPM), Microbiology and Hygiene Group, Furtwangen University, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany.
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Tirkkonen J, Täubel M, Leppänen H, Peltonen M, Lindsley W, Chen BT, Hyvärinen A, Hirvonen MR, Huttunen K. Toxicity of airborne dust as an indicator of moisture problems in school buildings. Inhal Toxicol 2017; 29:75-81. [DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2017.1296511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jenni Tirkkonen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Martin Täubel
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Health Protection, Living Environment and Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hanna Leppänen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Health Protection, Living Environment and Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Matti Peltonen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Health Protection, Living Environment and Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - William Lindsley
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WA, USA
| | - Bean T. Chen
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WA, USA
| | - Anne Hyvärinen
- Department of Health Protection, Living Environment and Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maija-Riitta Hirvonen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kati Huttunen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Madsen AM, Alwan T, Ørberg A, Uhrbrand K, Jørgensen MB. Waste Workers’ Exposure to Airborne Fungal and Bacterial Species in the Truck Cab and During Waste Collection. ANNALS OF OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE 2016; 60:651-68. [PMID: 27098185 PMCID: PMC4915520 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mew021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A large number of people work with garbage collection, and exposure to microorganisms is considered an occupational health problem. However, knowledge on microbial exposure at species level is limited. The aim of the study was to achieve knowledge on waste collectors’ exposure to airborne inhalable fungal and bacterial species during waste collection with focus on the transport of airborne microorganisms into the truck cab. Airborne microorganisms were collected with samplers mounted in the truck cab, on the workers’ clothes, and outdoors. Fungal and bacterial species were quantified and identified. The study showed that the workers were exposed to between 112 and 4.8×104 bacteria m−3 air and 326 and 4.6×104 fungi m−3 air. The personal exposures to bacteria and fungi were significantly higher than the concentrations measured in the truck cabs and in the outdoor references. On average, the fungal and bacterial concentrations in truck cabs were 111 and 7.7 times higher than outdoor reference measurements. In total, 23 fungal and 38 bacterial species were found and identified. Most fungal species belonged to the genus Penicillium and in total 11 Penicillium species were found. Identical fungal species were often found both in a personal sample and in the same person’s truck cab, but concentrations were on average 27 times higher in personal samples. Concentrations of fungal and bacterial species found only in the personal samples were lower than concentrations of species also found in truck cabs. Skin-related bacteria constituted a large fraction of bacterial isolates found in personal and truck cab samples. In total, six Staphylococcus species were found. In outdoor samples, no skin-related bacteria were found. On average, concentrations of bacterial species found both in the truck cab and personal samples were 77 times higher in personal samples than in truck cab samples. In conclusion, high concentrations of fungi were found in truck cabs, but the highest concentrations were found in personal samples; fungal and bacterial species found in high concentrations in personal samples were also found in truck cabs, but in lower concentrations indicating that both fungi and bacteria are transported by the workers into the truck cab, and are subsequently aerosolized in the truck cab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mette Madsen
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Taif Alwan
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Anders Ørberg
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Katrine Uhrbrand
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Marie Birk Jørgensen
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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44
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Abstract
Inhaling indoor air is the primary means by which humans are exposed to bioaerosols. Considering bacteria, fungi, and viruses, this study reviews the dynamic processes that govern indoor concentrations and fates of biological particulate material. Bioaerosol behavior is strongly coupled to particle size; this study emphasizes the range 0.1-10 μm in aerodynamic diameter. The principle of material balance allows concentrations to be determined from knowledge of important source and removal processes. Sources reviewed here include outdoor air introduced by air exchange plus indoor emission from occupants, occupant activities, and moldy materials. Important mechanisms that remove bioaerosols from indoor air include air exchange, deposition onto indoor surfaces, and active filtration. The review summarizes knowledge about size-dependent particle deposition in different regions of the respiratory tract, techniques for measuring indoor bioaerosols, and evidence for diseases caused by airborne exposure to bioaerosols. Future research challenges and opportunities are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- William W Nazaroff
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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45
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Prussin AJ, Marr LC. Sources of airborne microorganisms in the built environment. MICROBIOME 2015; 3:78. [PMID: 26694197 PMCID: PMC4688924 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-015-0144-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Each day people are exposed to millions of bioaerosols, including whole microorganisms, which can have both beneficial and detrimental effects. The next chapter in understanding the airborne microbiome of the built environment is characterizing the various sources of airborne microorganisms and the relative contribution of each. We have identified the following eight major categories of sources of airborne bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the built environment: humans; pets; plants; plumbing systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems; mold; dust resuspension; and the outdoor environment. Certain species are associated with certain sources, but the full potential of source characterization and source apportionment has not yet been realized. Ideally, future studies will quantify detailed emission rates of microorganisms from each source and will identify the relative contribution of each source to the indoor air microbiome. This information could then be used to probe fundamental relationships between specific sources and human health, to design interventions to improve building health and human health, or even to provide evidence for forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Prussin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Linsey C Marr
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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46
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Miletto M, Lindow SE. Relative and contextual contribution of different sources to the composition and abundance of indoor air bacteria in residences. MICROBIOME 2015; 3:61. [PMID: 26653310 PMCID: PMC4674937 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-015-0128-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study of the microbial communities in the built environment is of critical importance as humans spend the majority of their time indoors. While the microorganisms in living spaces, especially those in the air, can impact health and well-being, little is known of their identity and the processes that determine their assembly. We investigated the source-sink relationships of airborne bacteria in 29 homes in the San Francisco Bay Area. Samples taken in the sites expected to be source habitats for indoor air microbes were analyzed by 16S rRNA-based pyrosequencing and quantitative PCR. The community composition was related to the characteristics of the household collected at the time of sampling, including the number of residents and pets, activity levels, frequency of cooking and vacuum cleaning, extent of natural ventilation, and abundance and type of vegetation surrounding the building. RESULTS Indoor air harbored a diverse bacterial community dominated by Diaphorobacter sp., Propionibacterium sp., Sphingomonas sp., and Alicyclobacillus sp. Source-sink analysis suggested that outdoor air was the primary source of indoor air microbes in most homes. Bacterial phylogenetic diversity and relative abundance in indoor air did not differ statistically from that in outdoor air. Moreover, the abundance of bacteria in outdoor air was positively correlated with that in indoor air, as would be expected if outdoor air was the main contributor to the bacterial community in indoor bioaerosols. The number of residents, presence of pets, and local tap water also influenced the diversity and size of indoor air microbes. The bacterial load in air increased with the number of residents, activity, and frequency of natural ventilation, and the proportion of bacteria putatively derived from skin increased with the number of residents. Vacuum cleaning increased the signature of pet- and floor-derived bacteria in indoor air, while the frequency of natural ventilation decreased the relative abundance of tap water-derived microorganisms in air. CONCLUSIONS Indoor air in residences harbors a diverse bacterial community originating from both outdoor and indoor sources and is strongly influenced by household characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Miletto
- Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, 331 Koshland Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Steven E Lindow
- Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, 331 Koshland Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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47
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Luhung I, Wu Y, Ng CK, Miller D, Cao B, Chang VWC. Protocol Improvements for Low Concentration DNA-Based Bioaerosol Sampling and Analysis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141158. [PMID: 26619279 PMCID: PMC4664469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As bioaerosol research attracts increasing attention, there is a need for additional efforts that focus on method development to deal with different environmental samples. Bioaerosol environmental samples typically have very low biomass concentrations in the air, which often leaves researchers with limited options in choosing the downstream analysis steps, especially when culture-independent methods are intended. OBJECTIVES This study investigates the impacts of three important factors that can influence the performance of culture-independent DNA-based analysis in dealing with bioaerosol environmental samples engaged in this study. The factors are: 1) enhanced high temperature sonication during DNA extraction; 2) effect of sampling duration on DNA recoverability; and 3) an alternative method for concentrating composite samples. In this study, DNA extracted from samples was analysed using the Qubit fluorometer (for direct total DNA measurement) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS AND FINDINGS The findings suggest that additional lysis from high temperature sonication is crucial: DNA yields from both high and low biomass samples increased up to 600% when the protocol included 30-min sonication at 65°C. Long air sampling duration on a filter media was shown to have a negative impact on DNA recoverability with up to 98% of DNA lost over a 20-h sampling period. Pooling DNA from separate samples during extraction was proven to be feasible with margins of error below 30%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irvan Luhung
- SinBerBEST Program, Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore, Singapore
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yan Wu
- SinBerBEST Program, Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore, Singapore
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chun Kiat Ng
- Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dana Miller
- Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bin Cao
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Victor Wei-Chung Chang
- SinBerBEST Program, Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore, Singapore
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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48
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Adams RI, Tian Y, Taylor JW, Bruns TD, Hyvärinen A, Täubel M. Passive dust collectors for assessing airborne microbial material. MICROBIOME 2015; 3:46. [PMID: 26434807 PMCID: PMC4593205 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-015-0112-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Settled airborne dust is used as a surrogate for airborne exposure in studies that explore indoor microbes. In order to determine whether detecting differences in dust environments would depend on the sampler type, we compared different passive, settled dust sampling approaches with respect to displaying qualitative and quantitative aspects of the bacterial and fungal indoor microbiota. RESULTS Settled dust sampling approaches-utilizing plastic petri dishes, TefTex material, and electrostatic dustfall collectors (EDCs)-were evaluated in indoor spaces in the USA and Finland and in an experimental chamber study. The microbial content was analyzed with quantitative PCR (qPCR) to quantify total bacterial and fungal biomass and through high-throughput sequencing to examine bacterial community composition. Bacterial composition and diversity were similar within a sampling environment regardless of the sampler type. The sampling environment was the single largest predictor of microbial community composition within a study, while sampler type was found to have much less predictive power. Quantitative analyses in indoor spaces indicated highest yields using a petri dish approach, followed by sampling with EDCs and TefTex. The highest correlations between duplicate samples were observed for EDC and petri dish approaches, indicating greater experimental repeatability for these sampler types. For the EDC samples, it became apparent that, due to the fibrous nature of the material, a rigorous extraction protocol is crucial to obtain optimal yields and stable, repeatable results. CONCLUSIONS Correlations between sampler types were strong both in compositional and quantitative terms, and thus, the particular choice of passive settled dust sampler is not likely to strongly alter the overall conclusion of a study that aims to characterize dust across different environments. Microbial cell abundances determined from settled dust varied with the use of different sampling approaches, and thus, consistency in the method is necessary to allow for absolute comparisons within and among studies. Considering practical aspects, petri dishes were found to be an inexpensive, simple, and feasible approach that showed the highest quantitative determinations under typical building conditions, though the choice of sampler will ultimately depend on study logistics and characteristics such as low- or high-exposure settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel I Adams
- Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA.
| | - Yilin Tian
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA.
| | - John W Taylor
- Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA.
| | - Thomas D Bruns
- Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA.
| | - Anne Hyvärinen
- Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare, FIN-70701, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Martin Täubel
- Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare, FIN-70701, Kuopio, Finland.
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49
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Du L, Prasauskas T, Leivo V, Turunen M, Pekkonen M, Kiviste M, Aaltonen A, Martuzevicius D, Haverinen-Shaughnessy U. Assessment of indoor environmental quality in existing multi-family buildings in North-East Europe. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 79:74-84. [PMID: 25797585 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Sixteen existing multi-family buildings (94 apartments) in Finland and 20 (96 apartments) in Lithuania were investigated prior to their renovation in order to develop and test out a common protocol for the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) assessment, and to assess the potential for improving IEQ along with energy efficiency. Baseline data on buildings, as well as data on temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, and microbial content in settled dust were collected from each apartment. In addition, questionnaire data regarding housing quality and health were collected from the occupants. The results indicated that most measured IEQ parameters were within recommended limits. However, different baselines in each country were observed especially for parameters related to thermal conditions and ventilation. Different baselines were also observed for the respondents' satisfaction with their residence and indoor air quality, as well as their behavior related to indoor environment. In this paper, we present some evidence for the potential in improving IEQ along with energy efficiency in the current building stock, followed by discussion of possible IEQ indicators and development of the assessment protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuliu Du
- Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Tadas Prasauskas
- Department of Environmental Technology, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania
| | - Virpi Leivo
- Department of Civil Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Finland
| | - Mari Turunen
- Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maria Pekkonen
- Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mihkel Kiviste
- Department of Civil Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Finland
| | - Anu Aaltonen
- Department of Civil Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Finland
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50
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Leppänen HK, Täubel M, Roponen M, Vepsäläinen A, Rantakokko P, Pekkanen J, Nevalainen A, von Mutius E, Hyvärinen A. Determinants, reproducibility, and seasonal variation of bacterial cell wall components and viable counts in house dust. INDOOR AIR 2015; 25:260-272. [PMID: 24992650 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were (i) to assess the determinants that affect concentrations of the bacterial cell wall components 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH FAs) and muramic acid and of total viable bacteria and actinomycetes in house dust; and (ii) to examine the seasonal variation and reproducibility of these bacterial cell wall components in house dust. A number of lifestyle and environmental factors, mostly not consistent for different bacterial measures but commonly including the type of dwelling and farming (number of livestock), explained up to 37% of the variation of the bacterial concentrations in 212 homes in Eastern Finland. The reproducibility of 3-OH FAs and muramic acid measurements in house dust were studied in five urban homes and were found to be generally high (ICC 74-84%). Temporal variation observed in repeated sampling of the same home throughout a year was more pronounced for 3-OH FAs determinations (ICC 22%) than for muramic acid (ICC 55-66%). We conclude that determinants vary largely for different types of bacterial measurements in house dust; the measured parameters represent different aspects of the bacterial content indoors. More than one sample is needed to describe bacterial concentrations in house dust in the home environment due to large temporal variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H K Leppänen
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
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