1
|
Kofoed VC, Campion C, Rasmussen PU, Møller SA, Eskildsen M, Nielsen JL, Madsen AM. Exposure to resistant fungi across working environments and time. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 923:171189. [PMID: 38447726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171189] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Antifungal resistance has emerged as a significant health concern with increasing reports of resistant variants in previously susceptible species. At present, little is known about occupational exposure to antifungal-resistant fungi. This study aimed to investigate Danish workers' occupational exposure to airborne fungi resistant to first-line treatment drugs. A retrospective study was performed on a unique collection of personal exposure samples gathered over a twenty-year period from Danish working environments, in sectors including agriculture, animal handling, waste management, and healthcare. A total of 669 samples were cultivated at 37 °C and fungal colonies were identified using MALDI-TOF MS. Subsequently, identification was confirmed by amplicon sequencing the genes of calmodulin and beta-tubulin to unveil potential cryptic species. Infectious fungi (495 isolates from 23 species) were tested for resistance against Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole, and Amphotericin B. Working environments were highly variable in the overall fungal exposure, and showed vastly different species compositions. Resistance was found in 30 isolates of the species Aspergillus fumigatus (4 of 251 isolates), A. nidulans (2 of 13), A. niger complex (19 of 131), A. versicolor (3 of 18), and A. lentulus (2 of 2). Sequence analysis revealed several cryptic species within the A. niger complex including A. tubingensis, A. luchuensis, and A. phoenicis. Among the resistant A. fumigatus isolates, two contained the well-described TR34/L98H mutation in the cyp51A gene and promoter region, while the remainder harbored silent mutations. The results indicate that the working environment significantly contributes to exposure to resistant fungi, with particularly biofuel plant workers experiencing high exposure. Differences in the prevalence of resistance across working environments may be linked to the underlying species composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Carp Kofoed
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Christopher Campion
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Pil Uthaug Rasmussen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Signe Agnete Møller
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark; Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Mathias Eskildsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Jeppe Lund Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Anne Mette Madsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Verscheure E, Stierum R, Schlünssen V, Lund Würtz AM, Vanneste D, Kogevinas M, Harding BN, Broberg K, Zienolddiny-Narui S, Erdem JS, Das MK, Makris KC, Konstantinou C, Andrianou X, Dekkers S, Morris L, Pronk A, Godderis L, Ghosh M. Characterization of the internal working-life exposome using minimally and non-invasive sampling methods - a narrative review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117001. [PMID: 37683788 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117001] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
During recent years, we are moving away from the 'one exposure, one disease'-approach in occupational settings and towards a more comprehensive approach, taking into account the totality of exposures during a life course by using an exposome approach. Taking an exposome approach however is accompanied by many challenges, one of which, for example, relates to the collection of biological samples. Methods used for sample collection in occupational exposome studies should ideally be minimally invasive, while at the same time sensitive, and enable meaningful repeated sampling in a large population and over a longer time period. This might be hampered in specific situations e.g., people working in remote areas, during pandemics or with flexible work hours. In these situations, using self-sampling techniques might offer a solution. Therefore, our aim was to identify existing self-sampling techniques and to evaluate the applicability of these techniques in an occupational exposome context by conducting a literature review. We here present an overview of current self-sampling methodologies used to characterize the internal exposome. In addition, the use of different biological matrices was evaluated and subdivided based on their level of invasiveness and applicability in an occupational exposome context. In conclusion, this review and the overview of self-sampling techniques presented herein can serve as a guide in the design of future (occupational) exposome studies while circumventing sample collection challenges associated with exposome studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eline Verscheure
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rob Stierum
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Risk Analysis for Products in Development, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Research unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Mette Lund Würtz
- Department of Public Health, Research unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Dorian Vanneste
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manolis Kogevinas
- Environment and Health over the Lifecourse Program, ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Barbara N Harding
- Environment and Health over the Lifecourse Program, ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Karin Broberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Mrinal K Das
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Konstantinos C Makris
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Corina Konstantinou
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Xanthi Andrianou
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Susan Dekkers
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Risk Analysis for Products in Development, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Anjoeka Pronk
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Risk Analysis for Products in Development, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Idewe, External Service for Prevention and Protection at work, Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tang R, Tan H, Dai Y, Li L, Huang Y, Yao H, Cai Y, Yu G. Application of antimicrobial peptides in plant protection: making use of the overlooked merits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1139539. [PMID: 37538059 PMCID: PMC10394246 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1139539] [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: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Pathogen infection is one of the major causes of yield loss in the crop field. The rapid increase of antimicrobial resistance in plant pathogens has urged researchers to develop both new pesticides and management strategies for plant protection. The antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) showed potential on eliminating plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Here, we first summarize several overlooked advantages and merits of AMPs, which includes the steep dose-response relations, fast killing ability, broad synergism, slow resistance selection. We then discuss the possible application of AMPs for plant protection with above merits, and highlight how AMPs can be incorporated into a more efficient integrated management system that both increases the crop yield and reduce resistance evolution of pathogens.
Collapse
|
4
|
Yan T, Yang S, Zhou X, Zhang C, Zhu X, Ma W, Tang S, Li J. Neurologic symptoms among solar greenhouse workers and field workers in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:31916-31922. [PMID: 36459314 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24412-8] [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: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
It has been widely reported that the farmers were at increased risk of neurologic disorders, which probably be related with agricultural risk factors. The intensity of agricultural risk factors was rather high in the solar greenhouse than those in the agricultural farm, while the risk and prevalence of neurologic symptoms among solar greenhouse workers are unclear, which may provide evidence of neurologic dysfunction before clinically measurable signs are evident. This study aimed to evaluate the association among solar greenhouse working, field working, and neurologic symptoms. A cross-sectional study was conducted in China, and 986 Chinese Han population consisting 711 solar greenhouse workers (greenhouse worker group) and 275 field farmers (field worker group) were included. Participants provided information on demographic information, number of solar greenhouses owned (only solar greenhouse workers), working lifetime, and neurologic symptoms through an established questionnaire Q16 to assess the impact of occupational exposure to neurotoxicants, and the total scores were calculated. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the association among solar greenhouse working, field working, and neurologic symptoms. The total scales of the neurologic symptoms were higher in the solar greenhouse worker group (20.29 ± 4.79) than those in the field worker group (19.44 ± 4.22) (p < 0.05). Multivariate multiple linear regression showed that solar greenhouse working was positively associated with the scales of the neurologic symptoms (β = 0.248, 95% CI: (0.112, 0.383)). And the age, working lifetime, and current smoking were also positively associated with the scores of the neurologic symptoms, β = 0.007, 0.006 and 0.485 respectively (All p < 0.05). Solar greenhouse workers probably be at an increased risk of neurologic symptoms scores, and the age, working lifetime, and current smoking were also risk factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tenglong Yan
- Beijing Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Siwen Yang
- National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 102308, China
| | - Xingfan Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100054, China
| | - Chuyi Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100054, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhu
- National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 102308, China.
| | - Wenjun Ma
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shichuan Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100054, China
| | - Jue Li
- Beijing Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Beijing, 100093, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nie C, Geng X, Ouyang H, Wang L, Li Z, Wang M, Sun X, Wu Y, Qin Y, Xu Y, Tang X, Chen J. Abundant bacteria and fungi attached to airborne particulates in vegetable plastic greenhouses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159507. [PMID: 36257421 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159507] [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: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The proliferation of modern vegetable plastic greenhouses (VPGS) supplies more and more vegetables for food all over the world. The airborne bacteria and fungi induce more exposure opportunities for workers toiling in confined plastic greenhouses. Culture-independent approaches by qPCR and high-throughput sequencing technology were used to study the airborne particulates microbiota in typic VPGS in Shandong, a large base of vegetables in China. The result revealed the mean airborne bacteria concentrations reached 1.67 × 103 cells/m3 (PM2.5) and 2.38 × 103 cells/m3 (PM10), and the mean airborne fungal concentrations achieved 1.49 × 102 cells/m3 (PM2.5) and 3.19 × 102 cells/m3 (PM10) in VPGS. The predominant bacteria in VPGS included Ralstonia, Alcanivorax, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Acinetobacter. Botrytis, Alternaria, Fusarium, Sporobolomyces, and Cladosporium were frequently detected fungal genera in VPGS. A higher Chao1 of bacteria in PM10 was significantly different from PM2.5 in VPGS. The potential pathogens in VPGS include Raltonia picketti, Acinetobacter lwoffii, Bacillus anthracis, Botrytis cinerea, and Cladosporium sphaerospermum. The network analysis indicated that airborne microbiota was associated with soil microbiota which was affected by anthropologic activities. The predicted gene functions revealed that bacterial function mainly involved metabolism, neurodegenerative diseases, and fungal trophic mode dominated by Pathotroph-Saprotroph in VPGS. These findings unveiled airborne microbiomes in VPGS so that a strategy for improving air quality can be applied to safeguard health and vegetation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changliang Nie
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP(3)), Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xueyun Geng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP(3)), Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Huiling Ouyang
- IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP(3)), Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Zongzhen Li
- Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang 262700, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xiaomin Sun
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yan Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yunhan Qin
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Youxin Xu
- Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang 262700, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xu Tang
- IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jianmin Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP(3)), Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), Shanghai 200062, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
What should be tested in patients with suspected mold exposure? Usefulness of serological markers for the diagnosis. Allergol Select 2022; 6:118-132. [PMID: 35392215 PMCID: PMC8982061 DOI: 10.5414/alx02298e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The associations of mold exposure, IgE-mediated sensitization, inflammatory markers, and respiratory symptoms were analyzed in 46 exposed and 23 non-exposed individuals. Both exposure and clinical symptoms were assessed by questionnaire. Specific (s)IgE to mold mixture (mx1) was significantly higher and found more frequently in exposed (41%) than non-exposed individuals (17%), which was not observed for sIgG to mold mix (Gmx6). Notably, exposed asthmatics were more frequently sensitized to molds (55%) compared to exposed non-asthmatics (18%). In addition, the serum concentrations of club cell protein (CC16) were significantly lower in exposed subjects, especially in asthmatics. Positive associations were observed among mold sensitization, asthma, and mold exposure, but not in subjects with predominantly environmental sensitizations without mold sensitization. Thus, sIgE to mx1 but not sIgG to Gmx6 is a useful diagnostic marker to verify mold-associated respiratory symptoms.
Collapse
|
7
|
Ashfaq MY, Da'na DA, Al-Ghouti MA. Application of MALDI-TOF MS for identification of environmental bacteria: A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 305:114359. [PMID: 34959061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria play a variety of roles in the environment. They maintain the balance in the ecosystem and provide different ecosystem services such as in biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, biodegradation of toxic pollutants, and others. Therefore, isolation and identification of different environmental bacteria are important to most environmental research. Due to the high cost and time associated with the conventional molecular techniques, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has gained considerable attention for routine identification of bacteria. This review aims to provide an overview of the application of MALDI-TOF MS in various environmental studies through bibliometric analysis and literature review. The bibliometric analysis helped to understand the time-variable application of MALDI-TOF MS in various environmental studies. The categorical literature review covers various environmental studies comprising areas like ecology, food microbiology, environmental biotechnology, agriculture, and plant sciences, which show the application of the technique for identification and characterization of pollutant-degrading, plant-associated, disease-causing, soil-beneficial, and other environmental bacteria. Further research should focus on bridging the gap between the phylogenetic identity of bacteria and their specific environmental functions or metabolic traits that can help in rapid advancements in environmental research, thereby, improving time and cost savings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Y Ashfaq
- Environmental Science program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dana A Da'na
- Environmental Science program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad A Al-Ghouti
- Environmental Science program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Straumfors A, Mundra S, Foss OAH, Mollerup SK, Kauserud H. The airborne mycobiome and associations with mycotoxins and inflammatory markers in the Norwegian grain industry. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9357. [PMID: 33931660 PMCID: PMC8087811 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88252-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Grain dust exposure is associated with respiratory symptoms among grain industry workers. However, the fungal assemblage that contribute to airborne grain dust has been poorly studied. We characterized the airborne fungal diversity at industrial grain- and animal feed mills, and identified differences in diversity, taxonomic compositions and community structural patterns between seasons and climatic zones. The fungal communities displayed strong variation between seasons and climatic zones, with 46% and 21% of OTUs shared between different seasons and climatic zones, respectively. The highest species richness was observed in the humid continental climate of the southeastern Norway, followed by the continental subarctic climate of the eastern inland with dryer, short summers and snowy winters, and the central coastal Norway with short growth season and lower temperature. The richness did not vary between seasons. The fungal diversity correlated with some specific mycotoxins in settled dust and with fibrinogen in the blood of exposed workers, but not with the personal exposure measurements of dust, glucans or spore counts. The study contributes to a better understanding of fungal exposures in the grain and animal feed industry. The differences in diversity suggest that the potential health effects of fungal inhalation may also be different.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Straumfors
- Department of Chemical and Biological Work Environment, National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 5330, 0304, Majorstuen, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Sunil Mundra
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Oda A H Foss
- Department of Chemical and Biological Work Environment, National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 5330, 0304, Majorstuen, Oslo, Norway
| | - Steen K Mollerup
- Department of Chemical and Biological Work Environment, National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 5330, 0304, Majorstuen, Oslo, Norway
| | - Håvard Kauserud
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|