1
|
Mpakosi A, Cholevas V, Tzouvelekis I, Passos I, Kaliouli-Antonopoulou C, Mironidou-Tzouveleki M. Autoimmune Diseases Following Environmental Disasters: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1767. [PMID: 39273791 PMCID: PMC11395540 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12171767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental disasters are extreme environmental processes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunamis, floods, cyclones, storms, wildfires and droughts that are the consequences of the climate crisis due to human intervention in the environment. Their effects on human health have alarmed the global scientific community. Among them, autoimmune diseases, a heterogeneous group of disorders, have increased dramatically in many parts of the world, likely as a result of changes in our exposure to environmental factors. However, only a limited number of studies have attempted to discover and analyze the complex association between environmental disasters and autoimmune diseases. This narrative review has therefore tried to fill this gap. First of all, the activation pathways of autoimmunity after environmental disasters have been analyzed. It has also been shown that wildfires, earthquakes, desert dust storms and volcanic eruptions may damage human health and induce autoimmune responses to inhaled PM2.5, mainly through oxidative stress pathways, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and epithelial barrier damage. In addition, it has been shown that heat stress, in addition to increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, may also disrupt the intestinal barrier, thereby increasing its permeability to toxins and pathogens or inducing epigenetic changes. In addition, toxic volcanic elements may accelerate the progressive destruction of myelin, which may potentially trigger multiple sclerosis. The complex and diverse mechanisms by which vector-borne, water-, food-, and rodent-borne diseases that often follow environmental diseases may also trigger autoimmune responses have also been described. In addition, the association between post-disaster stress and the onset or worsening of autoimmune disease has been demonstrated. Given all of the above, the rapid restoration of post-disaster health services to mitigate the flare-up of autoimmune conditions is critical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Mpakosi
- Department of Microbiology, General Hospital of Nikaia "Agios Panteleimon", 18454 Piraeus, Greece
| | | | - Ioannis Tzouvelekis
- School of Agricultural Technology, Food Technology and Nutrition, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Passos
- Surgical Department, 219, Mobile Army, Surgical Hospital, 68300 Didymoteicho, Greece
| | | | - Maria Mironidou-Tzouveleki
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schweitzer M, Kögl I, Wassermann B, Abdelfattah A, Wicaksono WA, Berg G. Urban air quality affects the apple microbiome assembly. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 262:119858. [PMID: 39197489 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to air pollution affects health of all organisms on earth but the impact on the plant microbiome is less understood. Here, we link the Air Quality Index with the dust and apple epiphytic and endophytic microbiome across the city of Graz (Austria). The microbiome of the apple episphere, peel endosphere and pulp endosphere, and surrounding dust was analyzed. Our results show that the fungal communities were more influenced by air quality than bacterial communities. Bacterial communities, instead, were more specific for the individual sample types, especially noticeable in the pulp endosphere. The microbiome of each sample type was comprised of distinct microbial communities. Overall, the bacterial communities were highly dominated by Proteobacteria followed by Bacteroidota and Actinobacteriota, and the fungal communities were dominated by Ascomycota followed by Basidiomycota. With lower air quality, the relative abundance of the fungal orders Hypocreales and Pleosporales decreased in the apple episphere and the peel endosphere, respectively. Interestingly, an unexpectedly high level of similarity was observed between the bacterial communities of dust and peel endosphere, while the epiphytic bacterial community was significantly different compared to the other samples. We suggested that dust served as a potential microbial colonization route for the fruit microbiome as most bacteria (55%) colonizing the peel endosphere originated from dust. In conclusion, air quality affects the microbiome of edible plants, which can cause health consequences in humans. Therefore, this knowledge should be considered in urban and horticultural farming strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Schweitzer
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Isabella Kögl
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, 8010, Graz, Austria; Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB GmbH), Krenngasse 37, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Birgit Wassermann
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Ahmed Abdelfattah
- Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy Potsdam (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469, Potsdam, Germany; Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Wisnu Adi Wicaksono
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, 8010, Graz, Austria.
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, 8010, Graz, Austria; Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy Potsdam (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469, Potsdam, Germany; Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang F, Chen Y, Zhou S, Li H, Wan C, Yan K, Zhang H, Xu Z. Aerosol sources and transport paths co-control the atmospheric bacterial diversity over the coastal East China Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116589. [PMID: 38875970 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116589] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Airborne bacteria along with chemical composition of aerosols were investigated during five sampling seasons at an offshore island of the East China Sea. Bacterial diversity was the lowest in spring, the highest in winter, and similar between the autumns of 2019 and 2020, suggesting remarkably seasonal variation but little interannual change. Geodermatophilus (Actinobacteria) was the indicator genus of mineral dust (MD) showed higher proportion in spring than in other seasons. Mastigocladopsis_PCC-10914 (Cyanobacteria) as the indicator of sea salt (SS) demonstrated the highest percentages in both autumns, when the air masses mainly passed over the ocean prior to the sampling site. The higher proportions of soil-derived genera Rubellimicrobium and Craurococcus (both Proteobacteria) and extremophile Chroococcidiopsis_SAG_2023 (Cyanobacteria) were found in summer and winter, respectively. Our study explores the linkage between aerosol source and transport path and bacterial composition, which has implication to understanding of land-sea transmission of bacterial taxa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fanghui Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Land and Sea Ecological Governance and Systematic Regulation, Jinan, Shandong 250101, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Shanghai 200062, China.
| | - Shengqian Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Haowen Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Chunli Wan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Ke Yan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hongliang Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Land and Sea Ecological Governance and Systematic Regulation, Jinan, Shandong 250101, China
| | - Zongjun Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tastassa AC, Sharaby Y, Lang-Yona N. Aeromicrobiology: A global review of the cycling and relationships of bioaerosols with the atmosphere. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168478. [PMID: 37967625 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168478] [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: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Airborne microorganisms and biological matter (bioaerosols) play a key role in global biogeochemical cycling, human and crop health trends, and climate patterns. Their presence in the atmosphere is controlled by three main stages: emission, transport, and deposition. Aerial survival rates of bioaerosols are increased through adaptations such as ultra-violet radiation and desiccation resistance or association with particulate matter. Current research into modern concerns such as climate change, global gene transfer, and pathogenicity often neglects to consider atmospheric involvement. This comprehensive review outlines the transpiring of bioaerosols across taxa in the atmosphere, with significant focus on their interactions with environmental elements including abiotic factors (e.g., atmospheric composition, water cycle, and pollution) and events (e.g., dust storms, hurricanes, and wildfires). The aim of this review is to increase understanding and shed light on needed research regarding the interplay between global atmospheric phenomena and the aeromicrobiome. The abundantly documented bacteria and fungi are discussed in context of their cycling and human health impacts. Gaps in knowledge regarding airborne viral community, the challenges and importance of studying their composition, concentrations and survival in the air are addressed, along with understudied plant pathogenic oomycetes, and archaea cycling. Key methodologies in sampling, collection, and processing are described to provide an up-to-date picture of ameliorations in the field. We propose optimization to microbiological methods, commonly used in soil and water analysis, that adjust them to the context of aerobiology, along with other directions towards novel and necessary advancements. This review offers new perspectives into aeromicrobiology and calls for advancements in global-scale bioremediation, insights into ecology, climate change impacts, and pathogenicity transmittance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariel C Tastassa
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
| | - Yehonatan Sharaby
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
| | - Naama Lang-Yona
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hu P, Sharaby Y, Gu J, Radian A, Lang‐Yona N. Environmental processes and health implications potentially mediated by dust-borne bacteria. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13222. [PMID: 38151778 PMCID: PMC10866058 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Understanding microbial migration and survival mechanisms in dust events (DEs) can elucidate genetic and metabolic exchange between environments and help predict the atmospheric pathways of ecological and health-related microbial stressors. Dust-borne microbial communities have been previously characterized, but the impact and interactions between potentially active bacteria within transported communities remain limited. Here, we analysed samples collected during DEs in Israel, using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes and transcripts. Different air trajectories and wind speeds were associated not only with the genomic microbial community composition variations but also with specific 16S rRNA bacterial transcripts. Potentially active dust-borne bacteria exhibited positive interactions, including carbon and nitrogen cycling, biotransformation of heavy metals, degradation of organic compounds, biofilm formation, and the presence of pathogenic taxa. This study provides insights into the potential interactive relationships and survival strategies of microorganisms within the extreme dust environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Hu
- Civil and Environmental EngineeringTechnion—Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
- Environmental Science and Engineering Research GroupGuangdong Technion—Israel Institute of TechnologyShantouGuangdongChina
| | - Yehonatan Sharaby
- Civil and Environmental EngineeringTechnion—Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
- Present address:
Department of Biology and EnvironmentUniversity of HaifaOranimTivonIsrael
| | - Ji‐Dong Gu
- Environmental Science and Engineering Research GroupGuangdong Technion—Israel Institute of TechnologyShantouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Technologies for Energy ConversionGuangdong Technion—Israel Institute of TechnologyShantouGuangdongChina
| | - Adi Radian
- Civil and Environmental EngineeringTechnion—Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Naama Lang‐Yona
- Civil and Environmental EngineeringTechnion—Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Musiyiwa K, Simbanegavi TT, Marumure J, Makuvara Z, Chaukura N, Gwenzi W. The soil-microbe-plant resistome: A focus on the source-pathway-receptor continuum. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:12666-12682. [PMID: 38253827 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31788-8] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The One World, One Health concept implies that antibiotic resistance (AR) in the soil-microbe-plant resistome is intricately linked to the human resistome. However, the literature is mainly confined to sources and types of AR in soils or microbes, but comprehensive reviews tracking AR in the soil-microbe-plant resistome are limited. The present review applies the source-pathway-receptor concept to understand the sources, behaviour, and health hazards of the soil-microbe-plant resistome. The results showed that the soil-microbe-plant system harbours various antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs), antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Anthropogenic sources and drivers include soil application of solid waste, wastewater, biosolids, and industrial waste. Water-, wind-, and human-driven processes and horizontal gene transfer circulate AR in the soil-microbe-plant resistome. The AR in bulk soil, soil components that include soil microorganisms, soil meso- and macro-organisms, and possible mechanisms of AR transfer to soil components and ultimately to plants are discussed. The health risks of the soil-microbe-plant resistome are less studied, but potential impacts include (1) the transfer of AR to previously susceptible organisms and other resistomes, including the human resistome. Overall, the study tracks the behaviour and health risks of AR in the soil-plant system. Future research should focus on (1) ecological risks of AR at different levels of biological organization, (2) partitioning of AR among various phases of the soil-plant system, (3) physico-chemical parameters controlling the fate of AR, and (4) increasing research from low-income regions particularly Africa as most of the available literature is from developed countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kumbirai Musiyiwa
- Department of Crop Science and Post-Harvest Technology, School of Agricultural Science and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Tinoziva T Simbanegavi
- Department of Soil Science and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment, and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe, Mt. Pleasant, P.O. Box MP167, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Jerikias Marumure
- Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Zakio Makuvara
- Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nhamo Chaukura
- Department of Physical and Earth Sciences, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley, 8301, South Africa
| | - Willis Gwenzi
- Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Universitat Kassel, Steinstraβe 19, 37213, Witzenhausen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Das S, McEwen A, Prospero J, Spalink D, Chellam S. Respirable Metals, Bacteria, and Fungi during a Saharan-Sahelian Dust Event in Houston, Texas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19942-19955. [PMID: 37943153 PMCID: PMC10862556 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Although airborne bacteria and fungi can impact human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health, very few studies have investigated the possible impact of their long-range transport in the context of more commonly measured aerosol species, especially those present in an urban environment. We report first-of-kind simultaneous measurements of the elemental and microbial composition of North American respirable airborne particulate matter concurrent with a Saharan-Sahelian dust episode. Comprehensive taxonomic and phylogenetic profiles of microbial communities obtained by 16S/18S/ITS rDNA sequencing identified hundreds of bacteria and fungi, including several cataloged in the World Health Organization's lists of global priority human pathogens along with numerous other animal and plant pathogens and (poly)extremophiles. While elemental analysis sensitively tracked long-range transported Saharan dust and its mixing with locally emitted aerosols, microbial diversity, phylogeny, composition, and abundance did not well correlate with the apportioned African dust mass. Bacterial/fungal diversity, phylogenetic signal, and community turnover were strongly correlated to apportioned sources (especially vehicular emissions and construction activities) and elemental composition (especially calcium). Bacterial communities were substantially more dissimilar from each other across sampling days than were fungal communities. Generalized dissimilarity modeling revealed that daily compositional turnover in both communities was linked to calcium concentrations and aerosols from local vehicles and Saharan dust. Because African dust is known to impact large areas in northern South America, the Caribbean Basin, and the southern United States, the microbiological impacts of such long-range transport should be assessed in these regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Das
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Alyvia McEwen
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Joseph Prospero
- Rosenstiel
School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33149, United States
| | - Daniel Spalink
- Department
of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas
A&M University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Shankararaman Chellam
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rahav E, Belkin N, Velasquez X, Sisma-Ventura G, Guy-Haim T, Paytan A, Rubin-Blum M. Downwind gas condensate volatiles affect phytoplankton communities. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 195:115561. [PMID: 37734224 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115561] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of volatile organic carbons (VOCs) evaporated from gas condensate on the cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. WH8103, the diatom Asterionellopsis glacialis, and the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum. We used custom algal incubation chambers enabling only the gas condensate-derived VOCs to interact with the cell cultures via an atmospheric bridge, without direct contact with the hydrocarbon oil. The exposure to gas condensate VOCs reduced the abundance, growth rate, and photosynthetic efficiency of Synechococcus sp. WH8103. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays hint at oxidative damage to the chloroplasts and/or the thylakoid membranes in this organism. A.glacialis abundance, physiological state and growth rates remained unchanged, whereas A.minutum abundance and photosynthetic efficiency increased relative to their respective controls. Our results demonstrate that the effects of a gas condensate formed due to an oil spill will not be restricted to the polluted area, but may be prominent in downwind locations through atmospheric transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Rahav
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa 3108001, Israel.
| | - N Belkin
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa 3108001, Israel
| | - X Velasquez
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa 3108001, Israel
| | - G Sisma-Ventura
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa 3108001, Israel
| | - T Guy-Haim
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa 3108001, Israel
| | - A Paytan
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - M Rubin-Blum
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa 3108001, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Carrillo MP, Sevilla M, Casado M, Piña B, Pastor López E, Matamoros V, Vila-Costa M, Barata C. Impact of the antibiotic doxycycline on the D. magna reproduction, associated microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes in treated wastewater conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 334:122188. [PMID: 37442322 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122188] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) effluents are important sources of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and resistant bacteria that threaten aquatic biota and human heath. Antibiotic effects on host-associated microbiomes, spread of ARGs and the consequences for host health are still poorly described. This study investigated changes of the Daphnia magna associated microbiome exposed to the recalcitrant antibiotic doxycycline under artificial reconstituted lab water media (lab water) and treated wastewater media. D. magna individual juveniles were exposed for 10 days to treated wastewater with and without doxycycline, and similarly in lab water. We analysed 16 S rRNA gene sequences to assess changes in community structure, monitored Daphnia offspring production and quantified ARGs abundances by qPCR from both Daphnia and water (before and after the exposure). Results showed that doxycycline and media (lab water or wastewater) had a significant effect modulating Daphnia-associated microbiome composition and one of the most discriminant taxa was Enterococcus spp. Moreover, in lab water, doxycycline reduced the presence of Limnohabitans sp., which are dominant bacteria of the D. magna-associated microbiome and impaired Daphnia reproduction. Contrarily, treated wastewater increased diversity and richness of Daphnia-associated microbiome and promoted fecundity. In addition, the detected ARG genes in both lab water and treated wastewater medium included the qnrS1, sul1, and blaTEM, and the integron-related intI1 gene. The treated wastewater contained about 10 times more ARGs than lab water alone. Furthermore, there was an increase of sul1 in Daphnia cultured in treated wastewater compared to lab water. In addition, there were signs of a higher biodegradation of doxycycline by microbiomes of treated wastewater in comparison to lab water. Thus, results suggest that Daphnia-associated microbiomes are influenced by their environment, and that bacterial communities present in treated wastewater are better suited to cope with the effects of antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paula Carrillo
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marina Sevilla
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marta Casado
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Benjamin Piña
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Edward Pastor López
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Victor Matamoros
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Maria Vila-Costa
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Carlos Barata
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Catalonia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang Y, Ruff SE, Oskolkov N, Tierney BT, Ryon K, Danko D, Mason CE, Elhaik E. The microbial biodiversity at the archeological site of Tel Megiddo (Israel). Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1253371. [PMID: 37808297 PMCID: PMC10559971 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1253371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The ancient city of Tel Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley (Israel), which lasted from the Neolithic to the Iron Age, has been continuously excavated since 1903 and is now recognized as a World Heritage Site. The site features multiple ruins in various areas, including temples and stables, alongside modern constructions, and public access is allowed in designated areas. The site has been studied extensively since the last century; however, its microbiome has never been studied. We carried out the first survey of the microbiomes in Tel Megiddo. Our objectives were to study (i) the unique microbial community structure of the site, (ii) the variation in the microbial communities across areas, (iii) the similarity of the microbiomes to urban and archeological microbes, (iv) the presence and abundance of potential bio-corroding microbes, and (v) the presence and abundance of potentially pathogenic microbes. Methods We collected 40 swab samples from ten major areas and identified microbial taxa using next-generation sequencing of microbial genomes. These genomes were annotated and classified taxonomically and pathogenetically. Results We found that eight phyla, six of which exist in all ten areas, dominated the site (>99%). The relative sequence abundance of taxa varied between the ruins and the sampled materials and was assessed using all metagenomic reads mapping to a respective taxon. The site hosted unique taxa characteristic of the built environment and exhibited high similarity to the microbiome of other monuments. We identified acid-producing bacteria that may pose a risk to the site through biocorrosion and staining and thus pose a danger to the site's preservation. Differences in the microbiomes of the publicly accessible or inaccessible areas were insignificant; however, pathogens were more abundant in the former. Discussion We found that Tel Megiddo combines microbiomes of arid regions and monuments with human pathogens. The findings shed light on the microbial community structures and have relevance for bio-conservation efforts and visitor health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yali Zhang
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - S. Emil Ruff
- The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Nikolay Oskolkov
- Department of Biology, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Braden T. Tierney
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Krista Ryon
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - David Danko
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christopher E. Mason
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, New York, NY, United States
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI), New York, NY, United States
- The Information Society Project, Yale Law School, New Haven, CT, United States
- The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eran Elhaik
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Amir A, Ozel E, Haberman Y, Shental N. Achieving pan-microbiome biological insights via the dbBact knowledge base. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:6593-6608. [PMID: 37326027 PMCID: PMC10359611 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
16S rRNA amplicon sequencing provides a relatively inexpensive culture-independent method for studying microbial communities. Although thousands of such studies have examined diverse habitats, it is difficult for researchers to use this vast trove of experiments when interpreting their own findings in a broader context. To bridge this gap, we introduce dbBact - a novel pan-microbiome resource. dbBact combines manually curated information from studies across diverse habitats, creating a collaborative central repository of 16S rRNA amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), which are assigned multiple ontology-based terms. To date dbBact contains information from more than 1000 studies, which include 1500000 associations between 360000 ASVs and 6500 ontology terms. Importantly, dbBact offers a set of computational tools allowing users to easily query their own datasets against the database. To demonstrate how dbBact augments standard microbiome analysis we selected 16 published papers, and reanalyzed their data via dbBact. We uncovered novel inter-host similarities, potential intra-host sources of bacteria, commonalities across different diseases and lower host-specificity in disease-associated bacteria. We also demonstrate the ability to detect environmental sources, reagent-borne contaminants, and identify potential cross-sample contaminations. These analyses demonstrate how combining information across multiple studies and over diverse habitats leads to better understanding of underlying biological processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amnon Amir
- Microbiome center, Sheba Medical Center, Israel
| | - Eitan Ozel
- Dept. of Computer Science, The Open University of Israel, Israel
| | - Yael Haberman
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Israel
| | - Noam Shental
- Dept. of Computer Science, The Open University of Israel, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Moors H, De Craen M, Smolders C, Provoost A, Leys N. The waterbodies of the halo-volcanic Dallol complex: earth analogs to guide us, where to look for life in the universe. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1134760. [PMID: 37520359 PMCID: PMC10382021 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1134760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbes are the Earth life forms that have the highest degree of adaptability to survive, live, or even proliferate in very hostile environments. It is even stated that microbes can cope with any extreme physico-chemical condition and are, therefore, omnipresent all over the Earth: on all the continents, inside its crust and in all its waterbodies. However, our study suggests that there exists areas and even water rich environments on Earth where no life is possible. To support the fact that water rich environments can be lifeless, we performed an extensive survey of 10 different hyper extreme waterbodies of the halo-volcanic Dallol complex (Danakil depression, Ethiopia, Horn of Africa). In our study, we combined physico-chemical analyses, mineralogical investigations, XRD and SEM-EDX analyses, ATP measurements, 16S rDNA microbial community determinations, and microbial culturing techniques. According to our findings, we suggest that the individual physico-chemical parameters, water activity, and kosmo-chaotropicity, are the two most important factors that determine whether an environment is lifeless or capable of hosting specific extreme lifeforms. Besides, waterbodies that contained saturated levels of sodium chloride but at the same time possessed extreme low pH values, appeared to be poly-extreme environments in which no life could be detected. However, we clearly discovered a low diversity microbial community in waterbodies that were fully saturated with sodium chloride and only mildly acidic. Our results can be beneficial to more precisely classify whole or certain areas of planetary bodies, including water rich environments, as either potentially habitable or factual uninhabitable environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Moors
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Nuclear Medical Applications Institute (NMA), Mol, Belgium
| | - Mieke De Craen
- Research and Development Disposal, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Waste and Disposal (W&D), Mol, Belgium
- European Underground Research Infrastructure for Disposal of Nuclear Waste in Clay Environment, EIG EURIDICE, Mol, Belgium
| | - Carla Smolders
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Nuclear Medical Applications Institute (NMA), Mol, Belgium
| | - Ann Provoost
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Nuclear Medical Applications Institute (NMA), Mol, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Nuclear Medical Applications Institute (NMA), Mol, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Habibi N, Uddin S, Behbehani M, Kishk M, Abdul Razzack N, Zakir F, Shajan A. Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Aerosols: Baseline from Kuwait. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076756. [PMID: 37047728 PMCID: PMC10095457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to human health worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO, Geneva, Switzerland) has launched the "One-Health" approach, which encourages assessment of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) within environments shared by human-animals-plants-microbes to constrain and alleviate the development of AMR. Aerosols as a medium to disseminate ARGs, have received minimal attention. In the present study, we investigated the distribution and abundance of ARGs in indoor and outdoor aerosols collected from an urban location in Kuwait and the interior of three hospitals. The high throughput quantitative polymerase chain reaction (HT-qPCR) approach was used for this purpose. The results demonstrate the presence of aminoglycoside, beta-lactam, fluoroquinolone, tetracycline, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB), multidrug-resistant (MDR) and vancomycin-resistant genes in the aerosols. The most dominant drug class was beta-lactam and the genes were IMP-2-group (0.85), Per-2 group (0.65), OXA-54 (0.57), QnrS (0.50) and OXA-55 (0.55) in the urban non-clinical settings. The indoor aerosols possessed a richer diversity (Observed, Chao1, Shannon's and Pielou's evenness) of ARGs compared to the outdoors. Seasonal variations (autumn vs. winter) in relative abundances and types of ARGs were also recorded (R2 of 0.132 at p < 0.08). The presence of ARGs was found in both the inhalable (2.1 µm, 1.1 µm, 0.7 µm and < 0.3 µm) and respirable (>9.0 µm, 5.8 µm, 4.7 µm and 3.3 µm) size fractions within hospital aerosols. All the ARGs are of pathogenic bacterial origin and are hosted by pathogenic forms. The findings present baseline data and underpin the need for detailed investigations looking at aerosol as a vehicle for ARG dissemination among human and non-human terrestrial biota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nazima Habibi
- Environment and Life Science Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Saif Uddin
- Environment and Life Science Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Montaha Behbehani
- Environment and Life Science Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Mohamed Kishk
- Environment and Life Science Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Nasreem Abdul Razzack
- Environment and Life Science Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Farhana Zakir
- Environment and Life Science Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Anisha Shajan
- Environment and Life Science Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Iriarte J, Dachs J, Casas G, Martínez-Varela A, Berrojalbiz N, Vila-Costa M. Snow-Dependent Biogeochemical Cycling of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons at Coastal Antarctica. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1625-1636. [PMID: 36655903 PMCID: PMC9893724 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The temporal trend of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coastal waters with highly dynamic sources and sinks is largely unknown, especially for polar regions. Here, we show the concurrent measurements of 73 individual PAHs and environmental data, including the composition of the bacterial community, during three austral summers at coastal Livingston (2015 and 2018) and Deception (2017) islands (Antarctica). The Livingston 2015 campaign was characterized by a larger snow melting input of PAHs and nutrients. The assessment of PAH diagnostic ratios, such as parent to alkyl-PAHs or LMW to HMW PAHs, showed that there was a larger biodegradation during the Livingston 2015 campaign than in the Deception 2017 and Livingston 2018 campaigns. The biogeochemical cycling, including microbial degradation, was thus yearly dependent on snow-derived inputs of matter, including PAHs, consistent with the microbial community significantly different between the different campaigns. The bivariate correlations between bacterial taxa and PAH concentrations showed that a decrease in PAH concentrations was concurrent with the higher abundance of some bacterial taxa, specifically the order Pseudomonadales in the class Gammaproteobacteria, known facultative hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria previously reported in degradation studies of oil spills. The work shows the potential for elucidation of biogeochemical processes by intensive field-derived time series, even in the harsh and highly variable Antarctic environment.
Collapse
|
15
|
Neira M, Erguler K, Ahmady-Birgani H, Al-Hmoud ND, Fears R, Gogos C, Hobbhahn N, Koliou M, Kostrikis LG, Lelieveld J, Majeed A, Paz S, Rudich Y, Saad-Hussein A, Shaheen M, Tobias A, Christophides G. Climate change and human health in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East: Literature review, research priorities and policy suggestions. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114537. [PMID: 36273599 PMCID: PMC9729515 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Human health is linked to climatic factors in complex ways, and climate change can have profound direct and indirect impacts on the health status of any given region. Susceptibility to climate change is modulated by biological, ecological and socio-political factors such as age, gender, geographic location, socio-economic status, occupation, health status and housing conditions, among other. In the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME), climatic factors known to affect human health include extreme heat, water shortages and air pollution. Furthermore, the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) and the health consequences of population displacement are also influenced by climate change in this region. To inform future policies for adaptation and mitigation measures, and based on an extensive review of the available knowledge, we recommend several research priorities for the region. These include the generation of more empirical evidence on exposure-response functions involving climate change and specific health outcomes, the development of appropriate methodologies to evaluate the physical and psychological effects of climate change on vulnerable populations, determining how climate change alters the ecological determinants of human health, improving our understanding of the effects of long-term exposure to heat stress and air pollution, and evaluating the interactions between adaptation and mitigation strategies. Because national boundaries do not limit most climate-related factors expected to impact human health, we propose that adaptation/mitigation policies must have a regional scope, and therefore require collaborative efforts among EMME nations. Policy suggestions include a decisive region-wide decarbonisation, the integration of environmentally driven morbidity and mortality data throughout the region, advancing the development and widespread use of affordable technologies for the production and management of drinking water by non-traditional means, the development of comprehensive strategies to improve the health status of displaced populations, and fostering regional networks for monitoring and controlling the spread of infectious diseases and disease vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Neira
- Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C), The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Kamil Erguler
- Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C), The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Robin Fears
- European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC), Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Nina Hobbhahn
- European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC), Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Maria Koliou
- University of Cyprus Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Leondios G Kostrikis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus; Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Jos Lelieveld
- Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C), The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus; Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Azeem Majeed
- Department of Primary Care & Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shlomit Paz
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yinon Rudich
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The Weismann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Amal Saad-Hussein
- Environment and Climate Change Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Shaheen
- Damour for Community Development - Research Department, Palestine
| | - Aurelio Tobias
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - George Christophides
- Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C), The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus; Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sanz C, Casadoi M, Tadic Đ, Pastor-López EJ, Navarro-Martin L, Parera J, Tugues J, Ortiz CA, Bayona JM, Piña B. Impact of organic soil amendments in antibiotic levels, antibiotic resistance gene loads, and microbiome composition in corn fields and crops. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113760. [PMID: 35753374 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113760] [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: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The potential spreading of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) into agricultural fields and crops represent a fundamental limitation on the use of organic fertilization in food production systems. We present here a study of the effect of spreading four types of organic soil amendments (raw pig slurry, liquid and solid fractions, and a digested derivative) on demonstrative plots in two consecutive productive cycles of corn harvest (Zea mays), using a mineral fertilizer as a control, following the application of organic amendments at 32-62 T per ha (150 kg total N/ha) and allowing 5-8 months between fertilization and harvest. A combination of qPCR and high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing methods showed a small, but significant impact of the fertilizers in both ARG loads and microbiomes in soil samples, particularly after the second harvesting cycle. The slurry solid fraction showed the largest impact on both ARG loads and microbiome variation, whereas its digestion derivatives showed a much smaller impact. Soil samples with the highest ARG loads also presented increased levels of tetracyclines, indicating a potential dual hazard by ARG and antibiotic residues linked to some organic amendments. Unlike soils, no accumulation of ARG or antibiotics was observed in corn leaves (used as fodder) or grains, and no grain sample reached detection limits for neither parameter. These results support the use of organic soil amendments in corn crops, while proposing the reduction of the loads of ARGs and antibiotics from the fertilizers to greatly reduce their potential risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sanz
- IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18. E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Casadoi
- IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18. E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Đorde Tadic
- IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18. E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Joan Parera
- DACC, Departament d'Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural, Generalitat de Catalunya, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 612-614, E-08007, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Tugues
- DACC, Departament d'Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural, Generalitat de Catalunya, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 612-614, E-08007, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos A Ortiz
- DACC, Departament d'Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural, Generalitat de Catalunya, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 612-614, E-08007, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Benjamin Piña
- IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18. E-08034, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ginn O, Lowry S, Brown J. A systematic review of enteric pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in outdoor urban aerosols. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113097. [PMID: 35339466 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aerosol transport of enteric microbiota including fecal pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) has been documented in a range of settings but remains poorly understood outside indoor environments. We conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature to summarize evidence on specific enteric microbiota including enteric pathogens and ARGs that have been measured in aerosol samples in urban settings where the risks of outdoor exposure and antibiotic resistance (AR) spread may be highest. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a key word search for articles published within the years 1990-2020 using relevant data sources. Two authors independently conducted the keyword searches of databases and conducted primary and secondary screenings before merging results. To be included, studies contained extractable data on enteric microbes and AR in outdoor aerosols regardless of source confirmation and reported on qualitative, quantitative, or viability data on enteric microbes or AR. Qualitative analyses and metric summaries revealed that enteric microbes and AR have been consistently reported in outdoor aerosols, generally via relative abundance measures, though gaps remain preventing full understanding of the role of the aeromicrobiological pathway in the fate and transport of enteric associated outdoor aerosols. We identified remaining gaps in the evidence base including a need for broad characterization of enteric pathogens in bioaerosols beyond bacterial genera, a need for greater sampling in locations of high enteric disease risk, and a need for quantitative estimation of microbial and nucleic acid densities that may be applied to fate and transport models and in quantitative microbial risk assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Ginn
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Sarah Lowry
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Joe Brown
- Deparment of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kormos D, Lin K, Pruden A, Marr LC. Critical review of antibiotic resistance genes in the atmosphere. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:870-883. [PMID: 35638569 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00091a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a critical review to establish what is known about the sources, characteristics, and dissemination of ARGs in the atmosphere. We identified 52 papers that reported direct measurements of bacterial ARGs in air samples and met other inclusion criteria. The settings of the studies fell into the following categories: urban, rural, hospital, industrial, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), composting and landfill sites, and indoor environments. Certain genes were commonly studied and generally abundant: sul1, intI1, β-lactam ARGs, and tetracycline ARGs. Abundances of total ARGs varied by season and setting, with air in urban areas having higher ARG abundance than rural areas during the summer and vice versa during the winter. There was greater consistency in the types and abundances of ARGs throughout the seasons in urban areas. Human activity within indoor environments was also linked to increased ARG content (abundance, diversity, and concentration) in the air. Several studies found that human exposure to ARGs through inhalation was comparable to exposure through drinking water or ingesting soil. Detection of ARGs in air is a developing field, and differences in sampling and analysis methods reflect the many possible approaches to studying ARGs in air and make direct comparisons between studies difficult. Methodologies need to be standardized to facilitate identification of the dominant ARGs in the air, determine their major sources, and quantify the role of atmospheric transport in dissemination of ARGs in the environment. With such knowledge we can develop better policies and guidelines to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Kormos
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Kaisen Lin
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Amy Pruden
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Linsey C Marr
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Vergadi E, Rouva G, Angeli M, Galanakis E. Infectious Diseases Associated with Desert Dust Outbreaks: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116907. [PMID: 35682493 PMCID: PMC9180817 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Desert dust outbreaks and dust storms are the major source of particulate matter globally and pose a major threat to human health. We investigated the microorganisms transported with desert dust particles and evaluated their potential impact on human health. Methods: A systematic review of all reports on the association between non-anthropogenic desert dust pollution, dust microorganisms and human health is conducted. Results: In total, 51 articles were included in this review. The affected regions studied were Asia (32/51, 62.7%) followed by Europe (9/51, 17.6%), America (6/51, 11.8%), Africa (4/51, 7.8%) and Australia (1/51, 2.0%). The Sahara Desert was the most frequent source of dust, followed by Asian and American deserts. In 39/51 studies the dust-related microbiome was analyzed, while, in 12/51 reports, the association of desert dust with infectious disease outbreaks was examined. Pathogenic and opportunistic agents were isolated from dust in 24/39 (61.5%) and 29/39 (74.4%) of the studies, respectively. A significant association of dust events with infectious disease outbreaks was found in 10/12 (83.3%) reports. The infectious diseases that were mostly investigated with dust outbreaks were pneumonia, respiratory tract infections, COVID-19, pulmonary tuberculosis and coccidioidomycosis. Conclusions: Desert dust outbreaks are vehicles of a significant number of pathogenic or opportunistic microorganisms and limited data indicate an association between dust events and infectious disease outbreaks. Further research is required to strengthen the correlation between dust events and infectious diseases and subsequently guide preventive public health measures.
Collapse
|
20
|
Qin Y, Guo Z, Huang H, Zhu L, Dong S, Zhu YG, Cui L, Huang Q. Widespread of Potential Pathogen-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Carrying Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Indoor Dust. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:5653-5663. [PMID: 35438977 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are newly recognized as important vectors for carrying and spreading antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the ARGs harbored by EVs in ambient environments and the transfer potential are still unclear. In this study, the prevalence of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in EVs and their microbial origins were studied in indoor dust from restaurants, kindergarten, dormitories, and vehicles. The amount of EVs ranged from 3.40 × 107 to 1.09 × 1011 particles/g dust. The length of EV-associated DNA fragments was between 21 bp and 9.7 kb. Metagenomic sequencing showed that a total of 241 antibiotic ARG subtypes encoding resistance to 16 common classes were detected in the EVs from all four fields. Multidrug, quinolone, and macrolide resistance genes were the dominant types. 15 ARG subtypes were exclusively carried and even enriched in EVs compared to the indoor microbiome. Moreover, several ARGs showed co-occurrence with MGEs. The EVs showed distinct taxonomic composition with their original dust microbiota. 30.23% of EV-associated DNA was predicted to originate from potential pathogens. Our results indicated the widespread of EVs carrying ARGs and virulence genes in daily life indoor dust, provided new insights into the status of extracellular DNA, and raised risk concerns on their gene transfer potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Qin
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Indoor Air and Health, Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zihan Guo
- Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Haining Huang
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Indoor Air and Health, Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Liting Zhu
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Indoor Air and Health, Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Sijun Dong
- Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Indoor Air and Health, Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Li Cui
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Indoor Air and Health, Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Qiansheng Huang
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Indoor Air and Health, Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- National Basic Science Data Center, Beijing 100190, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Iakovides M, Tsiamis G, Tziaras T, Stathopoulou P, Nikolaki S, Iakovides G, Stephanou EG. Two-year systematic investigation reveals alterations induced on chemical and bacteriome profile of PM 2.5 by African dust incursions to the Mediterranean atmosphere. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 815:151976. [PMID: 34843760 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151976] [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: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
PM2.5 atmospheric samples were regularly collected between January 2013 and March 2015 at a central location of Eastern Mediterranean (Island of Crete) during African dust events (DES) and periods of absence of such episodes as controls (CS). The elemental composition and microbiome DES and CS were thoroughly investigated. Fifty-six major and trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Relative mass abundances (RMA) of major crustal elements and lanthanoids were higher in DES than in CS. Conversely in CS, RMAs were higher for most anthropogenic transition metals. Lanthanum-to-other lanthanoids concentration ratios for DES approached the corresponding reference values for continental crust and several African dust source regions, while in CS they exceeded these values. USEPA's UNMIX receptor model, applied in all PM2.5 samples, established that African dust is the dominant contributing source (by 80%) followed by road dust/fuel oil emissions (17%) in the receptor area. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) identified dust hotspots in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. The application of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed high variation of bacterial composition and diversity between DES and CS samples. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroides were the most dominant in both DES and CS samples, representing ~88% of the total bacterial diversity. Cutibacterium, Tumebacillus and Sphingomonas dominated the CS samples, while Rhizobium and Brevundimonas were the most prevalent genera in DES. Mutual exclusion/co-occurrence network analysis indicated that Sphingomonas and Chryseobacterium exhibited the highest degrees of mutual exclusion in CS, while in DES the corresponding species were Brevundimonas, Delftia, Rubellimicrobium, Flavobacterium, Blastococcus, and Pseudarthrobacter. Some of these microorganisms are emerging global opportunistic pathogens and an increase in human exposure to them as a result of environmental changes, is inevitable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minas Iakovides
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Tsiamis
- Laboratory of Systems Microbiology and Applied Genomics, Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Patras, 2 Seferi St, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
| | | | - Panagiota Stathopoulou
- Laboratory of Systems Microbiology and Applied Genomics, Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Patras, 2 Seferi St, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
| | - Sofia Nikolaki
- Laboratory of Systems Microbiology and Applied Genomics, Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Patras, 2 Seferi St, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
| | - Giannis Iakovides
- Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sanz C, Casado M, Navarro-Martin L, Cañameras N, Carazo N, Matamoros V, Bayona JM, Piña B. Implications of the use of organic fertilizers for antibiotic resistance gene distribution in agricultural soils and fresh food products. A plot-scale study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 815:151973. [PMID: 34843769 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) into agricultural soils, products, and foods severely limits the use of organic fertilizers in agriculture. In order to help designing agricultural practices that minimize the spread of ARG, we fertilized, sown, and harvested lettuces and radish plants in experimental land plots for two consecutive agricultural cycles using four types of fertilizers: mineral fertilization, sewage sludge, pig slurry, or composted organic fraction of municipal solid waste. The analysis of the relative abundances of more than 200,000 ASV (Amplicon Sequence Variants) identified a small, but significant overlap (<10%) between soil's and fertilizer microbiomes. Clinically relevant ARG were found in higher loads (up to 100 fold) in fertilized soils than in the initial soil, particularly in those treated with organic fertilizers, and their loads grossly correlated to the amount of antibiotic residues found in the corresponding fertilizer. Similarly, low, but measurable ARG loads were found in lettuce (tetM, sul1) and radish (sul1), corresponding the lowest values to samples collected from minerally fertilized fields. Comparison of soil samples collected along the total period of the experiment indicated a relatively year-round stability of soil microbiomes in amended soils, whereas ARG loads appeared as unstable and transient. The results indicate that ARG loads in soils and foodstuffs were likely linked to the contribution of bacteria from organic fertilizer to the soil microbiomes, suggesting that an adequate waste management and good pharmacological and veterinarian practices may significantly reduce the presence of these ARGs in agricultural soils and plant products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sanz
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Marta Casado
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Laia Navarro-Martin
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Núria Cañameras
- Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology DEAB-UPC, Esteve Terrades 8, Building 4, Castelldefels 08860, Spain
| | - Núria Carazo
- Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology DEAB-UPC, Esteve Terrades 8, Building 4, Castelldefels 08860, Spain
| | - Victor Matamoros
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Bayona
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Benjamin Piña
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Yan X, Ma J, Chen X, Lei M, Li T, Han Y. Characteristics of airborne bacterial communities and antibiotic resistance genes under different air quality levels. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 161:107127. [PMID: 35180669 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in bioaerosols are major threats to human health. In this study, the microbial community structure and ARG distribution characteristics of airborne bacteria in total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM2.5 were investigated under different air quality levels in Xinxiang, Central China. The results revealed that with the deterioration of air quality, the concentrations of airborne bacteria in both TSP and PM2.5 decreased; however, the relative amounts of pathogenic bacteria increased. The predominant genera in pathogenic bacteria of Bacillus, Sphingomonas, Corynebacterium, Rhodococcus, and Staphylococcus were identified in both TSP and PM2.5. Although the airborne bacteria concentrations and absolute abundances of ARGs in TSP were higher than those in PM2.5 under identical air quality conditions, the bacterial community structure and relative amounts of pathogenic bacteria were similar. In addition, the relationship between environmental factors of ions, metal elements, and meteorological parameters and the community structures of airborne bacteria and pathogenic bacteria were also analyzed. The effects of soluble ions and metal elements on several dominant genera of total bacteria and pathogenic bacteria differed, probably due to the strong tolerance of pathogenic bacteria to harsh atmospheric environments Different subtypes of ARGs showed various distribution characteristics with variations in air quality. The deterioration of air quality can inhibit the dissemination of ARGs, as the minimum values of all ARGs and class 1 integrase intI1 were observed under Severely Polluted conditions. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the effect of air pollution levels on the airborne bacteria community composition and ARG distribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Yan
- School of Environment, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Jiahui Ma
- School of Environment, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Xinqing Chen
- School of Environment, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Miao Lei
- School of Environment, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Tianning Li
- School of Environment, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Yunping Han
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Liu H, Wang X, Talifu D, Ding X, Abulizi A, Tursun Y, An J, Li K, Luo P, Xie X. Distribution and sources of PM 2.5-bound free silica in the atmosphere of hyper-arid regions in Hotan, North-West China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 810:152368. [PMID: 34914986 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The composition of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is complex and exhibits strong regional differences. Free silica (α-SiO2) in atmospheric particulate matter is carcinogenic and is an important component of respirable particulate matter in urban areas. Measurements determined that the concentration of silicon dioxide (α-SiO2) in PM2.5 in the urban area of Hotan City, China, was 8.02 μg·m-3 during the dust period and exceeded 1.77 μg·m-3 during the non-dust period. The proportion of α-SiO2 in PM2.5 was 8.07% during the dust period and 2.25% during the non-dust period. Atmospheric visibility during the dust period was mainly influenced by the content of atmospheric floating dust. Analysis of α-SiO2 pollution sources during the dust period showed that the air masses containing sand and dust originated from the desert hinterland. Following passage through oasis areas, the air mass was effectively reduced in the concentration of α-SiO2 in PM2.5. During the dusty period, α-SiO2 and PM2.5 originated from the same source in Hotan City. Moreover, wind speed was the main influencing factor for the α-SiO2 concentration. During the non-dust period, α-SiO2 and PM2.5 were not from the same source of pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huibin Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineer, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
| | - Xinming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Dilinuer Talifu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineer, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China.
| | - Xiang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Abulikemu Abulizi
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineer, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
| | - Yalkunjan Tursun
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineer, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
| | - Juqin An
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineer, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
| | - Kejun Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineer, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
| | - Ping Luo
- Hotan Environmental Monitoring Station, Hotan 848000, China
| | - Xiaoxia Xie
- Hotan Environmental Monitoring Station, Hotan 848000, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Li J, Phulpoto IA, Guo L, Zeng J, Yu Z. Grassland ecology system: A critical reservoir and dissemination medium of antibiotic resistance in Xilingol Pasture, Inner Mongolia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:150985. [PMID: 34662621 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to human health. It is necessary to explore all the potential sources and comprehend the pathways that antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are transmitted. In this study, by applying high-throughput quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing, ARGs and microbial community structure were determined, to understand the reservoirs and spread of ARGs in the Xilingol grassland system. A total of 151,140 and 138 different ARGs were observed in manure, soil, and water samples, respectively. Only 12 ARGs were shared in all environmental and animal manure samples. Multidrug defense system, such as efflux pump, was the most dominant factor in manure and soil samples, followed by antibiotic deactivation processes. These genes coffering resistance to major classes of antibiotics including β_Lactamase (blaSFO, fox5, blaCTX-M-04, blaOXY), vancomycin (vanC-03, vanXD), MLSB (vatE-01, mphA-01), aminoglycoside (aadA2-01), Multidrug (oprJ) and others (oprD, qacEdelta1-02), except sulfonamide and tetracycline. The 12 ARGs were significantly enriched in water samples compared to manure and soil samples (p < 0.01) and demonstrated that the water environment was an important transmission source of ARGs in the grassland. The highest enrichment was up to 324.5-fold. Moreover, the 12 shared ARGs were positively correlated with the mobile genetic elements (p < 0.01). The nonrandom co-occurrence network patterns between ARGs and microbial community suggested that a total of three bacterial phyla were viewed as the potential ARGs hosts. These findings indicate that ARGs were highly enriched in water samples, demonstrating that the water environment was a critical source and sink of ARGs in the grassland system. It may illuminate the mechanism stressing the effects of human activity on the occurrence and transmission of ARGs in the grassland system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinmei Li
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; RCEES-IMCAS-UCAS Joint-Lab of Microbial Technology for Environmental Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Irfan Ali Phulpoto
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; RCEES-IMCAS-UCAS Joint-Lab of Microbial Technology for Environmental Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lizheng Guo
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Zhisheng Yu
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; RCEES-IMCAS-UCAS Joint-Lab of Microbial Technology for Environmental Science, Beijing 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wu B, Luo H, Wang X, Liu H, Peng H, Sheng M, Xu F, Xu H. Effects of environmental factors on soil bacterial community structure and diversity in different contaminated districts of Southwest China mine tailings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 802:149899. [PMID: 34464792 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A mass of tailings left by mineral exploitation have caused serious environmental pollution. Although many studies have shown that soil microorganisms have the potential to remediate environmental pollution, the interaction mechanism between microorganisms and the surrounding environment of tailings is still unclear. In this study, 15 samples around pyrite mine tailing were collected to explore the ecological effects of environmental factors on bacterial community. The results showed that most of the samples were acidic and contaminated by multiple metals. Cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) migrated and accumulated to into downstream farmlands while chromium (Cr) was the opposite. Proteobacteria, Chloroflex and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla. Soil pH, total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), available potassium (AK), available phosphorus (AP), the bacteria abundance and diversity all gradually increased with the increase of the distance from the tailing. Invertase, acid phosphatase, total organic carbon (TOC), pH, TP and Cr were the main influencing factors to cause the variation of bacterial community. This work could help us to further understand the changes in soil microbial communities around pollution sources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bohan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Huanyan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xitong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Huakang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - He Peng
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Mingping Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Fei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Heng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environment Protection, Soil Ecological Protection and Pollution Control, Sichuan University & Department of Ecology and Environment of Sichuan, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Gat D, Reicher N, Schechter S, Alayof M, Tarn MD, Wyld BV, Zimmermann R, Rudich Y. Size-Resolved Community Structure of Bacteria and Fungi Transported by Dust in the Middle East. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:744117. [PMID: 34858365 PMCID: PMC8631519 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.744117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The atmosphere plays an important role in transporting microorganisms on a global scale, yet the processes affecting the composition of the airborne microbiome, the aerobiome, are not fully outlined. Here we present the community compositions of bacteria and fungi obtained by DNA amplicon-sequencing of aerosol samples collected in a size-resolved manner during nine consecutive days in central Israel. The campaign captured dust events originating from the Sahara and the Arabian deserts, as well as days without dust ("clear days"). We found that the source of the aerosol was the main variable contributing to the composition of both fungal and bacterial communities. Significant differences were also observed between communities representing particles of different sizes. We show evidence for the significant transport of bacteria as cell-aggregates and/or via bacterial attachment to particles during dust events. Our findings further point to the mixing of local and transported bacterial communities, observed mostly in particles smaller than 0.6 μm in diameter, representing bacterial single cells. Fungal communities showed the highest dependence on the source of the aerosols, along with significant daily variability, and without significant mixing between sources, possibly due to their larger aerodynamic size and shorter atmospheric residence times. These results, obtained under highly varied atmospheric conditions, provide significant assurances to previously raised hypotheses and could set the course for future studies on aerobiome composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniella Gat
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre (JMSC), Comprehensive Molecular Analytics (CMA), Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Munich, Germany
| | - Naama Reicher
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shai Schechter
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Matan Alayof
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Mark D. Tarn
- Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Bethany V. Wyld
- Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Ralf Zimmermann
- Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre (JMSC), Comprehensive Molecular Analytics (CMA), Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Munich, Germany
- Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Yinon Rudich
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Salawu-Rotimi A, Lebre PH, Vos HC, Fister W, Kuhn N, Eckardt FD, Cowan DA. Gone with the Wind: Microbial Communities Associated with Dust from Emissive Farmlands. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 82:859-869. [PMID: 33656686 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01717-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Dust is a major vehicle for the dispersal of microorganisms across the globe. While much attention has been focused on microbial dispersal in dust plumes from major natural dust sources, very little is known about the fractionation processes that select for the "dust microbiome." The recent identification of highly emissive, agricultural land dust sources in South Africa has provided the opportunity to study the displacement of microbial communities through dust generation and transport. In this study, we aimed to document the microbial communities that are carried in the dust from one of South Africa's most emissive locations, and to investigate the selective factors that control the partitioning of microbial communities from soil to dust. For this purpose, dust samples were generated at different emission sources using a Portable In-Situ Wind Erosion Lab (PI-SWERL), and the taxonomic composition of the resulting microbiomes was compared with the source soils. Dust emission processes resulted in the clear fractionation of the soil bacterial community, where dust samples were significantly enriched in spore-forming taxa. Conversely, little fractionation was observed in the soil fungal communities, such that the dust fungal fingerprint could be used to identify the source soil. Dust microbiomes were also found to vary according to the emission source, suggesting that land use significantly affected the structure and fractionation of microbial communities transported in dust plumes. In addition, several potential biological allergens of fungal origin were detected in the dust microbiomes, highlighting the potential detrimental effects of dust plumes emitted in South Africa. This study represents the first description of the fractionation of microbial taxa occurring at the source of dust plumes and provides a direct link between land use and its impact on the dust microbiome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adeola Salawu-Rotimi
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Pedro H Lebre
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
| | - Heleen Cornelia Vos
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Fister
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaus Kuhn
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frank D Eckardt
- Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
| | - Don A Cowan
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Peng X, Gat D, Paytan A, Rudich Y. The Response of Airborne Mycobiome to Dust Storms in the Eastern Mediterranean. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:802. [PMID: 34682226 PMCID: PMC8540267 DOI: 10.3390/jof7100802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Airborne microbial communities directly impact the health of humans, animals, plants, and receiving ecosystems. While airborne bacterial and fungal communities have been studied by both cultivation-based methods and metabarcoding surveys targeting specific molecular markers, fewer studies have used shotgun metagenomics to study the airborne mycobiome. We analyzed the diversity and relative abundance of fungi in nine airborne metagenomes collected on clear days ("background") and during dust storms in the Eastern Mediterranean. The negative correlation between the relative abundance of fungal reads and the concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter having an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 μm (PM10) indicate that dust storms lower the proportion of fungi in the airborne microbiome, possibly due to the lower relative abundance of fungi in the dust storm source regions and/or more effective transport of bacteria by the dust. Airborne fungal community composition was altered by the dust storms, particularly those originated from Syria, which was enriched with xerophilic fungi. We reconstructed a high-quality fungal metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) from the order Cladosporiales, which include fungi known to adapt to environmental extremes commonly faced by airborne microbes. The negative correlation between the relative abundance of Cladosporiales MAG and PM10 concentrations indicate that its origin is dominated by local sources and likely includes the indoor environments found in the city.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Peng
- School of Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Daniela Gat
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
- Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre (JMSC) of Comprehensive Molecular Analytics (CMA), Helmholtz Zentrum München–German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, 81379 Munich, Germany
| | - Adina Paytan
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA;
| | - Yinon Rudich
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Microbiome Studies from Saudi Arabia over the Last 10 Years: Achievements, Gaps, and Future Directions. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102021. [PMID: 34683342 PMCID: PMC8537179 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past ten years, microbiome studies have shown tremendous potentiality for implementation of understanding microbiome structures and functions of various biomes and application of this knowledge for human betterment. Saudi Arabia is full of geographical, ecological, ethnical, and industrial diversities and scientific capacities. Therefore, there is a great potential in Saudi Arabia to conduct and implement microbiome-based research and applications. However, there is no review available on where Saudi Arabia stands with respect to global microbiome research trends. This review highlights the metagenome-assisted microbiome research from Saudi Arabia compared to the global focuses on microbiome research. Further, it also highlights the gaps and areas that should be focused on by Saudi microbiome researchers and the possible initiatives to be taken by Saudi government and universities. This literature review shows that the global trends of microbiome research cover a broad spectrum of human and animal health conditions and diseases, environmental and antimicrobial resistance surveillance, surveillance of food and food processing, production of novel industrial enzymes and bioactive pharmaceutical products, and space applications. However, Saudi microbiome studies are mostly confined to very few aspects of health (human and animal) and environment/ecology in last ten years, without much application. Therefore, Saudi Arabia should focus more on applied microbiome research through government, academic, and industry initiatives and global cooperation to match the global trends.
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhang X, Li Z, Hu J, Yan L, He Y, Li X, Wang M, Sun X, Xu H. The biological and chemical contents of atmospheric particulate matter and implication of its role in the transmission of bacterial pathogenesis. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:5481-5486. [PMID: 34309156 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Atmospheric particulate matter (APM) is an environmental hazard that endangers human health and causes a variety of diseases. In this work, the microbial community composition, chemical element composition and antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) prevalence, along with their relationships with environmental parameters were analysed using APM samples collected in Jinan, China. Pathogenic Klebsiella and Aeromonas were found to be significantly correlated with PM2.5 and temperature, suggesting their proliferation on APM. PM2.5 and PM10 have similar microbial community compositions but different chemical element compositions, suggesting they have different origins, which have little impact on microbial community structures. This finding, together with analysis of the timing of microbial community structure changes, suggests that microbial community composition is impacted by anthropic activities. Further investigations showed that rare metals including lanthanides are significantly negatively correlated with pathogens in APM, suggesting their inhibitory role. ARGs were observed for every class of antibiotic except for carbapenems in APM, suggesting high ARG prevalence in APM, and APM functions in transmission of antimicrobial resistance. Results obtained in this study suggest that APM can act as a transmission vehicle for pathogenic bacteria and ARGs and lead to the implication of a new transmission route for bacterial pathogenesis by APM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianghe Zhang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Ziyun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Jiamin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Lei Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Yanyan He
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xiaomin Sun
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Hai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Osman M, Rafei R, Ismail MB, Omari SA, Mallat H, Dabboussi F, Cazer C, Karah N, Abbara A, Hamze M. Antimicrobial resistance in the protracted Syrian conflict: halting a war in the war. Future Microbiol 2021; 16:825-845. [PMID: 34223789 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Syrian conflict has damaged key infrastructure and indirectly affected almost all parts of the Middle East and Europe, with no end in sight. Exhausting conditions created by the Syrian crisis and related massive displacement promote the emergence of numerous public health problems that fuel antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development. Here, we explore the current situation of the Syrian displaced population, and AMR inside Syria and among refugees in host countries. We then suggest a roadmap of selected key interventions and strategies to address the threat of AMR in the context of the Syrian crisis. These recommendations are intended to urge health policy-makers in governments and international health organizations to optimize and push for implementing an effective policy taking into consideration the current obstacles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marwan Osman
- Laboratoire Microbiologie, Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon.,Department of Population Medicine & Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Rayane Rafei
- Laboratoire Microbiologie, Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Mohamad Bachar Ismail
- Laboratoire Microbiologie, Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon.,Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Sarah Al Omari
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hassan Mallat
- Laboratoire Microbiologie, Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Fouad Dabboussi
- Laboratoire Microbiologie, Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Casey Cazer
- Department of Population Medicine & Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Nabil Karah
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Aula Abbara
- Department of Infection, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Monzer Hamze
- Laboratoire Microbiologie, Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Núñez A, García AM, Moreno DA, Guantes R. Seasonal changes dominate long-term variability of the urban air microbiome across space and time. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 150:106423. [PMID: 33578068 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Compared to soil or aquatic ecosystems, the atmosphere is still an underexplored environment for microbial diversity. In this study, we surveyed the composition, variability and sources of microbes (bacteria and fungi) in the near surface atmosphere of a highly populated area, spanning ~ 4,000 Km2 around the city center of Madrid (Spain), in different seasonal periods along two years. We found a core of abundant bacterial genera robust across space and time, most of soil origin, while fungi were more sensitive to environmental conditions. Microbial communities showed clear seasonal patterns driven by variability of environmental factors, mainly temperature and accumulated rain, while local sources played a minor role. We also identified taxa in both groups characteristic of seasonal periods, but not of specific sampling sites or plant coverage. The present study suggests that the near surface atmosphere of urban environments contains an ecosystem stable across relatively large spatial and temporal scales, with a rather homogenous composition, modulated by climatic variations. As such, it contributes to our understanding of the long-term changes associated to the human exposome in the air of highly populated areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Núñez
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (ETSII-UPM), Madrid, Spain; Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Ana M García
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (ETSII-UPM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego A Moreno
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (ETSII-UPM), Madrid, Spain; Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (FF-UCLM), Albacete, Spain.
| | - Raúl Guantes
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Material Science Institute 'Nicolás Cabrera', Science Faculty, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Condensed Matter Physics (IFIMAC), Science Faculty, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Krupnik N, Asis DT, Belkin N, Rubin-Blum M, Israel Á, Paytan A, Meiri D, Herut B, Rahav E. Dust-borne microbes affect Ulva ohnoi's growth and physiological state. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2021; 97:6129349. [PMID: 33544820 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The marine macroalgae Ulva sp. is considered an ecosystem engineer in rocky shores of temperate waters worldwide. Ulva sp. harbors a rich diversity of associated microbial epibionts, which are known to affect the algae's typical morphological development and 'health'. We examined the interaction between airborne microbes derived from atmospheric aerosols and Ulva ohnoi growth and physiological state. Specifically, we measured U. ohnoi growth rates and photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), alongside its microbial epibionts abundance, activity and diversity following dust (containing nutrients and airborne microorganisms) or UV-treated dust (only nutrients) amendments to filtered seawater. Parallel incubations with epibionts-free U. ohnoi (treated with antibiotics that removed the algae epibionts) were also tested to specifically examine if dust-borne microbes can replenish the epibiont community of U. ohnoi. We show that viable airborne microbes can restore U. ohnoi natural microbial epibionts communities, thereby keeping the seaweed alive and 'healthy'. These results suggest that microbes delivered through atmospheric aerosols can affect epiphyte biodiversity in marine flora, especially in areas subjected to high annual atmospheric dust deposition such as the Mediterranean Sea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nimrod Krupnik
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Tel-Shikmona 8030, Haifa, 310800, Israel.,Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Dorin Theodora Asis
- Department of Evolutionary and Human Biology, University of Haifa, Abba Khoushy Ave 199, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Natalia Belkin
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Tel-Shikmona 8030, Haifa, 310800, Israel
| | - Maxim Rubin-Blum
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Tel-Shikmona 8030, Haifa, 310800, Israel
| | - Álvaro Israel
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Tel-Shikmona 8030, Haifa, 310800, Israel
| | - Adina Paytan
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - David Meiri
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Barak Herut
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Tel-Shikmona 8030, Haifa, 310800, Israel
| | - Eyal Rahav
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Tel-Shikmona 8030, Haifa, 310800, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Petroselli C, Montalbani E, La Porta G, Crocchianti S, Moroni B, Casagrande C, Ceci E, Selvaggi R, Sebastiani B, Gandolfi I, Franzetti A, Federici E, Cappelletti D. Characterization of long-range transported bioaerosols in the Central Mediterranean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 763:143010. [PMID: 33131845 PMCID: PMC7571444 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Airborne bacteria were characterized over a 2-y period via high-throughput massive sequencing of 16S rRNA gene in aerosol samples collected at a background mountain European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) Network site (Monte Martano, Italy) located in the Central Mediterranean area. The air mass origin of nineteen samples was identified by air mass modelling and a detailed chemical analysis was performed. Four main origins (Saharan, North-western, North-eastern, and Regional) were identified, and distinct microbial communities were associated with these air masses. Samples featured a great bacterial diversity with Protobacteria being the most abundant phylum, and Sphingomonas followed by Acidovorax, Acinetobacter and Stenotrophomonas the most abundant genera of the dataset. Bacterial genera including potential human and animal pathogens were more abundant in European and in Regional samples compared to Saharan samples; this stressed the relevance of anthropic impact on bacterial populations transported by air masses that cross densely populated areas. The principal aerosol chemical characteristics and the airborne bacterial communities were correlated by cluster analysis, similarity tests and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis, explaining most of the variability observed. However, the strong correlation between bacterial community structure and air mass origin hampered the possibility to disentangle the effects of variations in bacterial populations and in dust provenance on variations in chemical variables.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Petroselli
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, SO17 1BJ Southampton, UK
| | - Elena Montalbani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianandrea La Porta
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Crocchianti
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Beatrice Moroni
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Casagrande
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elisa Ceci
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberta Selvaggi
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Bartolomeo Sebastiani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Isabella Gandolfi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Franzetti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Ermanno Federici
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - David Cappelletti
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy; CNR-ISP, Institute of Polar Science, National Research Council, Via Gobetti 101, Bologna, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Niu M, Zhou F, Yang Y, Sun Y, Zhu T, Shen F. Abundance and composition of airborne archaea during springtime mixed dust and haze periods in Beijing, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 752:141641. [PMID: 32892037 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Archaea have an important role in the elemental biogeochemical cycle and human health. However, characteristics of airborne archaea affected by anthropogenic and natural processes are unclear. In this study, we investigated the abundance, structures, influencing factors and assembly processes of the archaeal communities in the air samples collected from Beijing in springtime using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), high-throughput sequencing technology and statistical analysis. The concentrations of airborne archaea ranged from 101 to 103 copies m-3 (455 ± 211 copies m-3), accounting for 0.67% of the total prokaryote (sum of archaea and bacteria). An increase in airborne archaea was seen when the air quality shifted from clean to slightly polluted conditions. Sandstorm dust imported a large number of archaea to the local atmosphere. Euryarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota and Crenarchaeota were the dominant phyla, revealing the primary role of soil in releasing archaea to the ambient environment. Dispersal-related neutral processes play an important role in shaping the structure of airborne archaeal assembly. Of all phyla, methanogenic Euryarchaeota were most abundant in the air parcels come from the south of Beijing. Air masses from the west of Beijing, which brought sandstorm to Beijing, carried large amounts of ammonia oxidizing archaea Nitrososphaera. The results demonstrate the importance of air mass sources and local weather conditions in shaping the local airborne archaea community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mutong Niu
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Feng Zhou
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Yi Yang
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Ye Sun
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Tianle Zhu
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Fangxia Shen
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Rodríguez A, Seseña S, Sánchez E, Rodríguez M, Palop ML, Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios RDC, Rodríguez Fariñas N. Temporal variability measurements of PM 2.5 and its associated metals and microorganisms on a suburban atmosphere in the central Iberian Peninsula. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110220. [PMID: 32946891 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A novel and multidisciplinary observational analysis of atmospheric components in the Central Iberian Peninsula is presented here. PM2.5 concentrations and both populations of cultivable and non-cultivable microorganisms and concentrations of a wide range of trace elements associated have been simultaneously studied during multiple events along one year. The aim has been to characterize their potential relations and dependencies, and their seasonal, daily and hourly evolution. Tools that could explain the atmospheric mechanisms and sources from all these elements have been also evaluated. As it would be expected from a suburban environment, absolute levels obtained were not close to legislation limits. Anthropogenic and natural sources, such as heating home, soil resuspension, or Sahara dust intrusion; and atmospheric factors are responsible for higher PM2.5 and metals concentrations in months with both low and high temperatures. Daily and hourly evolution depends on University Campus activity, especially on traffic flow and resuspended dust due to human transit. No statistical significant differences on daily or seasonal scales between cultivable counts of fungi and bacteria were displayed. However, using the q-PCR technique, the bacterial population was lower in winter. Positive correlations between PM2.5 and relative humidity; and PM2.5 and cultivable microorganism have been established. It was also the case among 7 of the 11 trace elements, indicating then common natural or anthropogenic sources. In summary, this work illustrates the interest of a combined inspection of elements, interactions and dependencies when studying the unique and continuous atmospheric environment, which are typically analysed separately.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rodríguez
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Carlos III, S/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - Susana Seseña
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Carlos III, S/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain.
| | - Enrique Sánchez
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Carlos III, S/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - María Rodríguez
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Carlos III, S/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - M Llanos Palop
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Carlos III, S/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | | | - Nuria Rodríguez Fariñas
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Carlos III, S/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Elmassry MM, Ray N, Sorge S, Webster J, Merry K, Caserio A, Vecellio DJ, Kruczek C, Dowd S, Ardon-Dryer K, Vanos J, San Francisco MJ. Investigating the culturable atmospheric fungal and bacterial microbiome in West Texas: implication of dust storms and origins of the air parcels. FEMS MICROBES 2020; 1:xtaa009. [PMID: 37333960 PMCID: PMC10117434 DOI: 10.1093/femsmc/xtaa009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals often experience ailments such as allergies, asthma and respiratory tract infections throughout the year. Weather reports often include estimations of common allergens that can affect these individuals. To describe the local 'atmospheric microbiome' in Lubbock, Texas, USA, we examined the culturable fungal and bacterial microbiome present in the air on calm and dust storm days using internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, respectively. While some types of airborne fungi were frequently present throughout the year, distinct differences were also observed between calm and dust storm days. We also observed the influence of the origin of air parcels and wind elevation of the air trajectory. The most abundant genera of fungi identified during the study period were Cryptococcus, Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Cladosporium and Filobasidium. This observation was not surprising considering the agricultural intensive environment of West Texas. Interestingly, Cladosporium, a common allergenic mold, was increased during days with dust storm events. The predominant bacterial genera observed were Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Psychrobacter, Massilia and Exiguobacterium. The relative abundance of the psychrophiles, Psychrobacter and Exiguobacterium, was surprising, given the semi-aridity of West Texas. Coupling our observations with back trajectories of the wind (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory models) demonstrated that dust storms, regional anthropogenic activity and origin of air parcels are important influences on the diversity and temporal presence of the atmospheric microbiome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moamen M Elmassry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Nandini Ray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Sara Sorge
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jennifer Webster
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Kyle Merry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Angelica Caserio
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Daniel J Vecellio
- Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Cassandra Kruczek
- Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Scot Dowd
- Molecular Research LP, Clovis Road, Shallowater, TX 79363, USA
| | - Karin Ardon-Dryer
- Department of Geosciences, Atmospheric Science Group, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jennifer Vanos
- School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Michael J San Francisco
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
- Honors College, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79410, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Romano S, Becagli S, Lucarelli F, Rispoli G, Perrone MR. Airborne bacteria structure and chemical composition relationships in winter and spring PM10 samples over southeastern Italy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 730:138899. [PMID: 32388366 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Redundancy Discrimination Analysis (RDA) and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to investigate relationships between airborne bacteria at the phylum and genus level and chemical species in winter and spring PM10 samples over Southeastern Italy. The identification of main chemical species/pollution sources that were related to and likely affected the bacterial community structure was the main goal of this work. The 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach was used to characterize airborne bacteria. Seventeen phyla and seventy-nine genera contributing each by mean within-sample relative abundance percentage > 0.01% were identified in PM10 samples, which were chemically characterized for 33 species, including ions, metals, OC, and EC (organic and elemental carbon, respectively). Chemical species were associated with six different pollution sources. A shift from winter to spring in both bacterial community structure and chemical species mass concentrations/sources and the relationships between them was observed. RDA triplots pointed out significant correlations for all tested bacterial phyla (genera) with other phyla (genera) and/or with chemical species, in contrast to correlation coefficient results, which showed that few phyla (genera) were significantly correlated with chemical species. More specifically, in winter Bacillus and Chryseobacterium were the only genera significantly correlated with chemical species likely associated with particles from soil-dust and anthropogenic pollution source, respectively. In spring, Enterobacter and Sphingomonas were the only genera significantly correlated with chemical species likely associated with particles from the anthropogenic pollution and the marine and soil-dust sources, respectively. The results of this study also showed that the correlation coefficients were the best tool to obtain unequivocal identifications of the correlations of phyla (genera) with chemical species. The seasonal changes of the PM10 chemical composition, the microbial community structure, and their relationships suggested that the seasonal changes of atmospheric particles may have likely contributed to seasonal changes of bacterial community in the atmosphere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Romano
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, Via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
| | - S Becagli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - F Lucarelli
- Department of Physics, University of Florence and I.N.F.N. (Unit of Florence), Via Sansone, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - G Rispoli
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, Via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - M R Perrone
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, Via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lang-Yona N, Öztürk F, Gat D, Aktürk M, Dikmen E, Zarmpas P, Tsagkaraki M, Mihalopoulos N, Birgül A, Kurt-Karakuş PB, Rudich Y. Links between airborne microbiome, meteorology, and chemical composition in northwestern Turkey. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 725:138227. [PMID: 32302827 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The composition of atmospheric aerosols is dynamic and influenced by their emission sources, organic and inorganic composition, transport pathways, chemical and physical processes, microorganisms' content and more. Characterization of such factors can improve the ability to evaluate air quality and health risks under different atmospheric scenarios. Here we investigate the microbial composition of the atmospheric particulate matter (<10 μm; PM10), sampled in Bolu, Turkey, and the linkage to the chemical composition changes, and different environmental factors. We show distinct differences between aerosol composition of different sources and air-mass transport patterns, sampled in July-August 2017 and in February 2018. The summer samples had a typical northern component air mass trajectories and higher local wind speed. They were characterized by high PM10 levels, marine and mineral dust tracers and high relative abundance of Ascomycota, suggesting long-range transport of the particles from remote sources. In contrast, samples collected in February were characterized by a dominant contribution of southern air masses, and low wind speed. They had low PM10 values, higher relative abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and anthropogenic ions related to local industries and farming, suggesting a dominance of local sources. With the microbiome analyses reported here for the first time for this region, we show good agreement between airborne microbial composition, aerosol mass load, chemistry, and meteorology. These results allow better air quality evaluation and prediction capabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naama Lang-Yona
- Plant and Environmental Science Department, Weizmann Institute for Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Fatma Öztürk
- Environmental Engineering Department, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Golkoy Campus, 14030 Bolu, Turkey.
| | - Daniella Gat
- Earth and Planetary Science Department, Weizmann Institute for Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Merve Aktürk
- Environmental Engineering Department, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Golkoy Campus, 14030 Bolu, Turkey
| | - Emre Dikmen
- Environmental Engineering Department, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Golkoy Campus, 14030 Bolu, Turkey
| | - Pavlos Zarmpas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, 71003, Voutes, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Tsagkaraki
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, 71003, Voutes, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Mihalopoulos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, 71003, Voutes, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aşkın Birgül
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Bursa Technical University, 16310 Bursa, Turkey
| | | | - Yinon Rudich
- Earth and Planetary Science Department, Weizmann Institute for Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Hu Z, Liu H, Zhang H, Zhang X, Zhou M, Lou L, Zheng P, Xi C, Hu B. Temporal discrepancy of airborne total bacteria and pathogenic bacteria between day and night. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 186:109540. [PMID: 32339956 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As the most abundant microbes in the atmosphere, airborne bacteria are closely involved in affecting human health, regional climate and ecological balance. The mobility of airborne microorganisms makes it necessary to study the community dynamic in short cycle. Nevertheless, it remains obscure how the airborne bacteria especially the pathogenic bacteria vary on the small time scale of day and night. To investigate the nycterohemeral discrepancy of airborne total bacteria and pathogenic bacteria, PM2.5 samples were collected in Hangzhou between day and night. Microbial taxonomic information was obtained through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and "human pathogens database" screening. Further analyses based on Multiple Regression Matrices (MRM) approach and Concentration Weighted Trajectory (CWT) model were conducted to elucidate the effect of local environmental factors and long-range transport. The community composition of total bacteria tended to be similar in the daytime while pathogenic bacteria turned out to be homogeneous in the nighttime. To be vigilant, the diversity of airborne pathogenic bacteria echoed the frequency of anthropogenic activities with the pathogen inhalation rate roughly at 428 copies/h and 235 copies/h respectively in daytime and nighttime. The nycterohemeral discrepancy of total bacteria was principally driven by the filtering of environmental factors, i.e., CO and NO2, indicating that anthropogenic activities brought about the homogeneity. Airborne pathogenic bacteria coupled with the strong resistances of environmental filtering stood out from their non-pathogenic counterpart, which enabled the long-range transport. Indeed, the nycterohemeral discrepancy of pathogenic bacteria was shaped by the transport of air masses. This research filled the gaps in temporal variance of airborne microorganisms on the small time scale of day and night, providing crucial foundation for precisely predicting ecological and health effects of bioaerosols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Hu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Meng Zhou
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Liping Lou
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ping Zheng
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chuanwu Xi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Baolan Hu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Bio-Aerosols Negatively Affect Prochlorococcus in Oligotrophic Aerosol-Rich Marine Regions. ATMOSPHERE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos11050540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus is a dominant photoautotroph in many oligotrophic Low-Nutrients-Low-Chlorophyll (LNLC) regions. While the chemical impact of aerosols upon interaction with surface seawater was documented in numerous studies, we show that Prochlorococcus cells are affected also by bio-aerosols (potentially biological agents in the dust/aerosols such as membrane-bound extracellular vesicles, small-size bacteria and/or viruses), resulting in lower surface seawater abundances in the oligotrophic Mediterranean Sea. We conducted experimental amendments of ‘live’ aerosol/dust particles and aerosol filtrates (<0.22-µm) to surface Southeastern Mediterranean seawater or to pure Prochlorococcus cultures (MED4). Results show a significant decline in cell biomass (<90%), while UV-sterilized aerosols elicited a much weaker and non-significant response (~10%). We suggest that the difference is due to a negative effect of bio-aerosols specific to Prochlorococcus. Accordingly, the dominance of Synechococcus over Prochlorococcus throughout the surface Mediterranean Sea (observed mainly in spring when atmospheric aerosol levels are relatively high) and the lack of spatial westward gradient in Prochlorococcus biomass as typically observed for chlorophyll-a or other cyanobacteria may be attributed, at least to some extent, to the impact of bio-aerosol deposition across the basin. Predictions for enhanced desertification and increased dust emissions may intensify the transport and potential impact of bio-aerosols in LNLC marine systems.
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
The impact of atmospheric particulate matter (i.e., aerosols) on Earth's radiative balance has been and continues to be the leading source of uncertainty with respect to predictions of future temperature increases due to climate change. Mineral dust particles transported from deserts and semiarid regions across the globe are a dominant contributor to the aerosol burden. Dust has many and diverse effects on Earth's climate: it directly scatters and/or absorbs incoming sunlight; it reacts with trace gases leading to impacts on the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere that affect both the lifetime of the greenhouse gas methane in addition to concentrations of tropospheric ozone-a greenhouse gas and criteria air pollutant; it influences the production as well as the lifetime and radiative properties of clouds; and it deposits nutrients to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that can stimulate primary production and facilitate the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). This Account will focus on the last three effects. The ability of dust to affect clouds and biogeochemical cycles hinges upon the chemical nature of dust particles-in particular, whether the compounds found in dust particles are water-soluble. The solubility of nutrients found in dust is particularly critical for determining the impact of atmospheric deposition on ocean productivity. The traditional viewpoint is that dust is inherently insoluble but reactive toward trace acidic gases, a process herein referred to as chemical aging. These reactions are thought to affect the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere while effectively transforming the chemical composition of dust by increasing its solubility. Consequently, chemical aging is hypothesized to substantially increase the impact of dust on cloud droplet formation and marine biogeochemical cycles.This Account presents recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms that determine how efficiently dust undergoes chemical aging and what the consequences of these processes are for the different effects of dust on Earth's climate. This Account will re-examine the traditional viewpoint that dust chemical aging strongly impacts marine biogeochemical cycles as well as the ability of dust to nucleate cloud droplets. Laboratory studies on environmental samples are combined with chemical analysis of field samples collected at dust transport receptor sites to better understand chemical aging mechanisms and determine the impact of dust on tropospheric oxidants, clouds, and biogeochemical cycles. Our results highlight the important role that dust mineralogy plays in both the nucleation of clouds as well as the kinetics responsible for the chemical aging of dust. This Account will present cases where dust contains inherently soluble minerals and does not require chemical aging in order to efficiently nucleate clouds in the atmosphere. Lastly, this Account illustrates the critical role that nondust aerosols, namely, wildfire and combustion emissions, play as a supplier of soluble nutrients important for biogeochemical cycles, particularly in marine environments. This Account will discuss these findings and highlight future research directions and recommendations to better understand dust-climate interactions and the emerging role of biomass burning aerosol in marine biogeochemical cycles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra J. Gaston
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33149, United States
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
González-Toril E, Osuna S, Viúdez-Moreiras D, Navarro-Cid I, Toro SDD, Sor S, Bardera R, Puente-Sánchez F, de Diego-Castilla G, Aguilera Á. Impacts of Saharan Dust Intrusions on Bacterial Communities of the Low Troposphere. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6837. [PMID: 32321958 PMCID: PMC7176723 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63797-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We have analyzed the bacterial community of a large Saharan dust event in the Iberian Peninsula and, for the first time, we offer new insights regarding the bacterial distribution at different altitudes of the lower troposphere and the replacement of the microbial airborne structure as the dust event receeds. Samples from different open-air altitudes (surface, 100 m and 3 km), were obtained onboard the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) C-212 aircrafts. Samples were collected during dust and dust-free air masses as well two weeks after the dust event. Samples related in height or time scale seems to show more similar community composition patterns compared with unrelated samples. The most abundant bacterial species during the dust event, grouped in three different phyla: (a) Proteobacteria: Rhizobiales, Sphingomonadales, Rhodobacterales, (b) Actinobacteria: Geodermatophilaceae; (c) Firmicutes: Bacillaceae. Most of these taxa are well known for being extremely stress-resistant. After the dust intrusion, Rhizobium was the most abundant genus, (40-90% total sequences). Samples taken during the flights carried out 15 days after the dust event were much more similar to the dust event samples compared with the remaining samples. In this case, Brevundimonas, and Methylobacterium as well as Cupriavidus and Mesorizobium were the most abundant genera.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena González-Toril
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA). Carretera de Ajalvir Km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Osuna
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA). Carretera de Ajalvir Km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Viúdez-Moreiras
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA). Carretera de Ajalvir Km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ivan Navarro-Cid
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA). Carretera de Ajalvir Km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Díaz Del Toro
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology. Biology Faculty. C/José Antonio Novais, 12, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Suthyvann Sor
- Aerodinamic Department (INTA). Carretera de Ajalvir Km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Bardera
- Aerodinamic Department (INTA). Carretera de Ajalvir Km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Puente-Sánchez
- Systems Biology Program. Centro Nacional de Biotecnología. C/ Darwin n° 3, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ángeles Aguilera
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA). Carretera de Ajalvir Km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Community Structure and Influencing Factors of Airborne Microbial Aerosols over Three Chinese Cities with Contrasting Social-Economic Levels. ATMOSPHERE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos11040317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As an important part of atmospheric aerosol, airborne bacteria have major impacts on human health. However, variations of airborne community structure due to human-induced activities and their possible impact on human health have not been well understood. In this study, we sampled atmospheric microbial aerosols in three Chinese cities (Shanghai, Xiamen, and Zhangzhou) with contrasting social-economic levels and analyzed the bacterial composition using high-throughput sequencing methods. A high similarity of the predominant phyla was observed in three cities but the relative abundances were quite different. At the genus level, the most dominant genus in Shanghai and Xiamen was Deinococcus while the most dominant genus in Zhangzhou was Clostridium. The different characteristics of airborne bacterial in the three cities above may be ascribed to the environmental variables affected by human over-activities such as the vehicle exhausts and coal-burning emissions in Shanghai, the tourist aggregation and construction works in Xiamen, the extensive uses of chemical fertilizers, and agricultural activities in Zhangzhou. The variation of the bacterial community and the pathogenic bacteria detected in three cities would have a potential threat to human health.
Collapse
|
46
|
Ladegaard-Pedersen P, Achilleos M, Dörflinger G, Frei R, Kristiansen K, Frei KM. A strontium isotope baseline of Cyprus. Assessing the use of soil leachates, plants, groundwater and surface water as proxies for the local range of bioavailable strontium isotope composition. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 708:134714. [PMID: 31787293 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a strontium isotope baseline for Cyprus is presented. The aim of the study was two-fold; first to provide an environmental multi-proxy-based baseline (water/plants/soil leachates) suitable for archaeological provenance and mobility studies, food source authentication, and forensic investigations; and second, to contribute to the debate around which proxy (or combination of proxies) might be most suitable to define bioavailable fractions of strontium in geologically complex areas also exposed to sea-spray and other Sr-bearing aerosols. Lowest bioavailable strontium isotope signatures range is found within terranes dominated by ophiolites, where 87Sr/86Sr ratios range from 0.7055 to 0.7081, however, results reveal a high degree of variability in bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr ratios, both spatially, along depth profiles and amongst the different proxies. A narrower range of bioavailable Sr isotope signatures is observed within the Circum Troodos Sedimentary Successions (C.T.S.S.), both in spatial distribution and between different proxies. Observed range is 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7079 to 0.7089 in areas dominated by pre-Quaternary C.T.S.S., and 87Sr/86Sr ratios = 0.7076 to 0.7086 in areas covered by Quaternary C.T.S.S., revealing the lithologies to be very homogenous with respect to bioavailable strontium ratios. Intra-site variations in three archaeological sites (multiple samples from each site from within a 500 m radius) within the pre-Quaternary and Quaternary C.T.S.S. are smaller than inter-site variations, suggesting that tracing studies inferred from baselines sampled within a limited spatial area could lead to erroneous conclusions regarding provenance. The study points to the necessity for conducting multi-proxy, spatially extensive sampling to adequately characterize complex geological areas, if these should serve as reliable reference areas in provenance studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pernille Ladegaard-Pedersen
- National Museum of Denmark, Department of Research, Collections and Conservation, Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, Kongens Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Maria Achilleos
- Republic of Cyprus, Water Development Department, 100-110 Kennenty Avenue, Pallouriotissa, 1047 Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - Gerald Dörflinger
- Republic of Cyprus, Water Development Department, 100-110 Kennenty Avenue, Pallouriotissa, 1047 Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - Robert Frei
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Kristiansen
- Department of Historical Studies, University of Gothenburg, Eklandagatan 86, 412 61 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Margarita Frei
- National Museum of Denmark, Department of Research, Collections and Conservation, Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, Kongens Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ben Maamar S, Glawe AJ, Brown TK, Hellgeth N, Hu J, Wang JP, Huttenhower C, Hartmann EM. Mobilizable antibiotic resistance genes are present in dust microbial communities. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008211. [PMID: 31971995 PMCID: PMC6977718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The decades-long global trend of urbanization has led to a population that spends increasing amounts of time indoors. Exposure to microbes in buildings, and specifically in dust, is thus also increasing, and has been linked to various health outcomes and to antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). These are most efficiently screened using DNA sequencing, but this method does not determine which microbes are viable, nor does it reveal whether their ARGs can actually disseminate to other microbes. We have thus performed the first study to: 1) examine the potential for ARG dissemination in indoor dust microbial communities, and 2) validate the presence of detected mobile ARGs in viable dust bacteria. Specifically, we integrated 166 dust metagenomes from 43 different buildings. Sequences were assembled, annotated, and screened for potential integrons, transposons, plasmids, and associated ARGs. The same dust samples were further investigated using cultivation and isolate genome and plasmid sequencing. Potential ARGs were detected in dust isolate genomes, and we confirmed their placement on mobile genetic elements using long-read sequencing. We found 183 ARGs, of which 52 were potentially mobile (associated with a putative plasmid, transposon or integron). One dust isolate related to Staphylococcus equorum proved to contain a plasmid carrying an ARG that was detected metagenomically and confirmed through whole genome and plasmid sequencing. This study thus highlights the power of combining cultivation with metagenomics to assess the risk of potentially mobile ARGs for public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ben Maamar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Adam J. Glawe
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Taylor K. Brown
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Nancy Hellgeth
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jinglin Hu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Ji-Ping Wang
- Department of Statistics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Curtis Huttenhower
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Erica M. Hartmann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Romano S, Di Salvo M, Rispoli G, Alifano P, Perrone MR, Talà A. Airborne bacteria in the Central Mediterranean: Structure and role of meteorology and air mass transport. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 697:134020. [PMID: 31491629 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach has been used to characterize the structure of the airborne bacterial community of PM10 samples, and investigate the dependence on meteorology, seasons, and long-range transported air masses. The PM10 samples were collected at a Central Mediterranean coastal site, away from large sources of local pollution. Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes, which were found in all samples, were the most abundant phyla. Calothrix, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus were the most abundant genera. The within-sample relative abundance (RA) of each phylum/genus varied from sample to sample. Calothrix was the most abundant genus during the advection of desert dust and Atlantic air masses, Pseudomonas was the most abundant genus when the advected air flows spent several hours over lands or close to lands affected by anthropogenic activities, before reaching the study site. The bacterial community richness and biodiversity of the PM10 samples on average increased from winter to spring, while the sample dissimilarity on average decreased from winter to spring. The spring meteorological conditions over the Mediterranean, which have likely contributed to maintain for longer time the bacterial community in the atmosphere, could have been responsible for the above results. The analysis of the presumptive species-level characterization of the airborne bacterial community has revealed that the abundance of human (opportunistic) pathogens was highly inhomogeneous among samples, without any significant change from winter to spring. We also found that the PM10 samples collected during the advection of desert dust and Atlantic air masses were on average the less enriched in human (opportunistic) pathogenic species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Romano
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Marco Di Salvo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Gennaro Rispoli
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Pietro Alifano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Perrone
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Adelfia Talà
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Mills MC, Lee J. The threat of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in the environment: Evidence of widespread contamination of reservoirs at a global scale. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 255:113143. [PMID: 31541827 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Environmental reservoirs of antibiotic resistance (AR) are a growing concern that are gathering more attention as potential sources for human infection. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are extremely dangerous, as carbapenems are often drugs of last resort that are used to treat multi-drug resistant infections. Among the genes capable of conferring carbapenem resistance to bacteria, the most transferrable are those that produce carbapenemase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes carbapenems and other β-lactam antibiotics. The goal of this review was to comprehensively identify global environmental reservoirs of carbapenemase-producing genes, as well as identify potential routes of transmission to humans. The genes of interest were Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), Oxacillinase-48-type carbapenemases (OXA-48), and Verona Integron-Mediated Metallo-β-lactamase (VIM). Carbapenemase genes have been reported in the environment on almost every continent. Hospital and municipal wastewater, drinking water, natural waterways, sediments, recreational waters, companion animals, wildlife, agricultural environments, food animals, and retail food products were identified as current reservoirs of carbapenemase-producing bacteria and genes. Humans have been recorded as carrying CRE, without recent admittance to a hospital or long-term care facility in France, Egypt, and China. CRE infections from the environment have been reported in patients in Montpellier, France and Cairo, Egypt. This review demonstrates the need for 1) comprehensive monitoring of AR not only in waterways, but also other types of environmental matrices, such as aerosol, dusts, periphyton, and surfaces in indoor environments; and 2) action to reduce the prevalence and mitigate the effects of these potentially deadly resistance genes. In order to develop an accurate quantitative model for environmental dimensions of AR, longitudinal sampling and quantification of AR genes and bacteria are needed, using a One Health approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molly C Mills
- College of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- College of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Department of Food Science & Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
Prokaryotic microbes can become aerosolized and deposited into new environments located thousands of kilometers away from their place of origin. The Mediterranean Sea is an oligotrophic to ultra-oligotrophic marginal sea, which neighbors northern Africa (a major source of natural aerosols) and Europe (a source of mostly anthropogenic aerosols). Previous studies demonstrated that airborne bacteria deposited during dust events over the Mediterranean Sea may significantly alter the ecology and function of the surface seawater layer, yet little is known about their abundance and diversity during ‘background’ non-storm conditions. Here, we describe the abundance and genetic diversity of airborne bacteria in 16 air samples collected over an East-West transect of the entire Mediterranean Sea during non-storm conditions in April 2011. The results show that airborne bacteria represent diverse groups with the most abundant bacteria from the Firmicutes (Bacilli and Clostridia) and Proteobacteria (Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria) phyla. Most of the bacteria in our samples have previously been observed in the air at other open ocean locations, in the air over the Mediterranean Sea during dust storms, and in the Mediterranean seawater. Airborne bacterial abundance ranged from 0.7 × 104 to 2.5 × 104 cells m−3 air, similar to abundances at other oceanic regimes. Our results demonstrate that airborne bacterial diversity is positively correlated with the mineral dust content in the aerosols and was spatially separated between major basins of the Mediterranean Sea. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive biogeographical dataset to assess the diversity and abundance of airborne microbes over the Mediterranean Sea. Our results shed light on the spatiotemporal distribution of airborne microbes and may have implications for dispersal and distribution of microbes (biogeography) in the ocean.
Collapse
|