1
|
Johnston JD, Cowger AE, Weber KS. Bioaerosol and microbial exposures from residential evaporative coolers and their potential health outcomes: A review. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13082. [PMID: 36168234 PMCID: PMC9826010 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Evaporative cooling is an energy efficient form of air conditioning in dry climates that functions by pulling hot, dry outdoor air across a wet evaporative pad. While evaporative coolers can help save energy, they also have the potential to influence human health. Studies have shown residential evaporative coolers may pull outdoor air pollutants into the home or contribute to elevated levels of indoor bioaerosols that may be harmful to health. There is also evidence that evaporative coolers can enable a diverse microbial environment that may confer early-life immunological protection against the development of allergies and asthma or exacerbate these same hypersensitivities. This review summarizes the current knowledge of bioaerosol and microbiological studies associated with evaporative coolers, focusing on harmful and potentially helpful outcomes from their use. We evaluate the effects of evaporative coolers on indoor bacterial endotoxins, fungal β-(1 → 3)-D-glucans, dust mite antigens, residential microbial communities, and Legionella pneumophila. To our knowledge, this is the first review to summarize and evaluate studies on the influence that evaporative coolers have on the bioaerosol and microbiological profile of homes. This brings to light a gap in the literature on evaporative coolers, which is the lack of data on health effects associated with their use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - K. Scott Weber
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtahUSA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yang JIL, Lee BG, Park J, Yeo M. Airborne fungal and bacterial microbiome in classrooms of elementary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Effects of school disinfection and other environmental factors. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13107. [PMID: 36168218 PMCID: PMC9538906 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the effects of environmental factors including disinfection on airborne microbiome during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, we evaluated indoor and outdoor air collected from 19 classrooms regularly disinfected. Extracted bacterial and fungal DNA samples were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq™ platform. Using bacterial DNA copy number concentrations from qPCR analysis, multiple linear regressions including environmental factors as predictors were performed. Microbial diversity and community composition were evaluated. Classrooms disinfected with spray ≤1 week before sampling had lower bacterial DNA concentration (3116 DNA copies/m3 ) than those >1 week (5003 copies/m3 ) (p-values = 0.06). The bacterial DNA copy number concentration increased with temperature and was higher in classrooms in coastal than inland cities (p-values <0.01). Bacterial diversity in outdoor air was higher in coastal than inland cities while outdoor fungal diversity was higher in inland than coastal cities. These outdoor microbiomes affected classroom microbial diversity but bacterial community composition at the genus level in occupied classrooms were similar between coastal and inland cities. Our findings emphasize that environmental conditions including disinfection, climate, and school location are important factors in shaping classroom microbiota. Yet, further research is needed to understand the effects of modified microbiome by disinfection on occupants' health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun I. L. Yang
- Department of Applied Environmental ScienceGraduate School Kyung Hee UniversityYongin‐siKorea
| | - Bong Gu Lee
- Department of Applied Environmental ScienceGraduate School Kyung Hee UniversityYongin‐siKorea
| | - Ju‐Hyeong Park
- Respiratory Health DivisionNational Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Min‐Kyeong Yeo
- Department of Applied Environmental ScienceGraduate School Kyung Hee UniversityYongin‐siKorea
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of EngineeringKyung Hee UniversityYongin‐siKorea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Park JH, Lemons AR, Croston TL, Park Y, Roseman J, Green BJ, Cox-Ganser JM. Mycobiota and the Contribution of Yeasts in Floor Dust of 50 Elementary Schools Characterized with Sequencing Internal Transcribed Spacer Region of Ribosomal DNA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:11493-11503. [PMID: 35901271 PMCID: PMC10183301 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01703] [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] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The assemblage of fungi including unicellular yeasts in schools is understudied. We conducted an environmental study to characterize fungal communities in classroom floor dust. We collected 500 samples from 50 elementary schools in Philadelphia, PA, and evaluated room dampness/mold conditions. Genomic DNA from dust was extracted for internal transcribed spacer 1 Illumina MiSeq sequencing to identify operational taxonomic units (OTUs) organized from DNA sequences. Differential abundance analyses were performed to examine significant differences in abundance among groups. We identified 724 genera from 1490 OTUs. The genus Epicoccum was not diverse but the most abundant (relative abundance = 18.9%). Fungi were less diverse but most dissimilar in composition in the most water-damaged classrooms compared to the least water-damaged, indicating differential effects of individual classroom water-damage on fungal compositions. We identified 62 yeast genera, representing 19.6% of DNA sequences. Cyberlindnera was the most abundant (6.1%), followed by Cryptococcus, Aureobasidium, Rhodotorula, and Candida. The average relative abundance of yeasts tended to increase with increasing dampness and mold score and was significantly (p-value = 0.048) higher in the most water-damaged classrooms (22.4%) than the least water-damaged classrooms (18.2%). Our study suggests the need for further research on the potential health effects associated with exposures to yeasts in schools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyeong Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Angela R Lemons
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Tara L Croston
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Yeonmi Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Jerry Roseman
- Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health & Welfare Fund & Union, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, United States
| | - Brett J Green
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Jean M Cox-Ganser
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Logan M, Tan LC, Nzeteu CO, Lens PNL. Enhanced anaerobic digestion of dairy wastewater in a granular activated carbon amended sequential batch reactor. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY. BIOENERGY 2022; 14:840-857. [PMID: 35915605 PMCID: PMC9324911 DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the potential of granular activated carbon (GAC) supplementation to enhance anaerobic degradation of dairy wastewater. Two sequential batch reactors (SBRs; 0.8 L working volume), one control and another amended with GAC, were operated at 37°C and 1.5-1.6 m/h upflow velocity for a total of 120 days (four cycles of 30 days each). The methane production at the end of each cycle run increased by about 68%, 503%, 110%, and 125% in the GAC-amended SBR, compared with the Control SBR. Lipid degradation was faster in the presence of GAC. Conversely, the organic compounds, especially lipids, accumulated in the absence of the conductive material. In addition, a reduction in lag phase duration by 46%-100% was observed at all four cycles in the GAC-amended SBR. The peak methane yield rate was at least 2 folds higher with GAC addition in all cycles. RNA-based bacterial analysis revealed enrichment of Synergistes (0.8% to 29.2%) and Geobacter (0.4% to 11.3%) in the GAC-amended SBR. Methanolinea (85.8%) was the dominant archaea in the biofilm grown on GAC, followed by Methanosaeta (11.3%), at RNA level. Overall, this study revealed that GAC supplementation in anaerobic digesters treating dairy wastewater can promote stable and efficient methane production, accelerate lipid degradation and might promote the activity of electroactive microorganisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lea Chua Tan
- National University of Ireland, GalwayGalwayIreland
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wu Z, Lyu H, Ma X, Ren G, Song J, Jing X, Liu Y. Comparative effects of environmental factors on bacterial communities in two types of indoor dust: Potential risks to university students. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111869. [PMID: 34411549 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
University students are constantly exposed to potential bacterial pathogens and environmental pollutants in indoor environment because they spend most of their time indoors. University dormitory and printing shop are two typical indoor environments frequented by university students. However, little is known about the characteristics of bacterial community as well as the effect of indoor environmental factors on them. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to reveal the bacterial community in indoor dust, electronic devices were recorded during dust sampling, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were detected by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were leading phyla, and Acinetobacter, Paracoccus and Kocuria were dominating genera. The predominant genera showed Acinetobacter > Paracoccus > unidentified Corynebacteriaceae in indoor dusts from university dormitories, whereas Paracoccus > unidentified Cyanobacteria > Acinetobacter in printing shops. The occurrence of Acinetobacter, Kocuria, Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus suggested the health risks of potential pathogenic bacteria to university students. Significant differences of microbial composition and diversity were proved between university dormitories and printing shops. Chemoheterotrophy and aerobic chemoheterotrophy were dominant bacterial functions, and the seven primary bacterial functions displayed university dormitory > printing shop. BDE 138 and BDE 66 were main environmental parameters affecting the indoor dust bacterial community in university dormitory, while printer and BDE 47 played dominating role in shaping microorganism in printing shop. The complex biotic (potential bacterial pathogens) and abiotic factors (electronic equipment and chemical pollutants) in indoor dusts may pose potential health risks to university students.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhineng Wu
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China; School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Honghong Lyu
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Xiaodong Ma
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China.
| | - Gengbo Ren
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Jie Song
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Xiaohua Jing
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anyang Normal University, Henan Province, 455002, China
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rush RE, Dannemiller KC, Cochran SJ, Haines SR, Acosta L, Divjan A, Rundle AG, Miller RL, Perzanowski MS, Croston TL, Green BJ. Vishniacozyma victoriae (syn. Cryptococcus victoriae) in the homes of asthmatic and non-asthmatic children in New York City. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 32:48-59. [PMID: 34091598 PMCID: PMC10032026 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00342-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoor environments contain a broad diversity of non-pathogenic Basidiomycota yeasts, but their role in exacerbating adverse health effects has remained unclear. OBJECTIVE To understand the role of Vishniacozyma victoriae exposure and its impact on human health. METHODS A qPCR assay was developed to detect and quantify an abundant indoor yeast species, Vishniacozyma victoriae (syn. Cryptococcus victoriae), from homes participating in the New York City Neighborhood Asthma and Allergy Study (NAAS). We evaluated the associations between V. victoriae, housing characteristics, and asthma relevant health endpoints. RESULTS V. victoriae was quantified in 236 of the 256 bedroom floor dust samples ranging from less than 300-45,918 cell equivalents/mg of dust. Higher concentrations of V. victoriae were significantly associated with carpeted bedroom floors (P = 0.044), mean specific humidity (P = 0.004), winter (P < 0.0001) and spring (P = 0.001) seasons, and the presence of dog (P = 0.010) and dog allergen Can f 1 (P = 0.027). V. victoriae concentrations were lower in homes of children with asthma vs. without asthma (P = 0.027), an association observed only among the non-seroatopic children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E Rush
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Karen C Dannemiller
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Samuel J Cochran
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sarah R Haines
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Luis Acosta
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adnan Divjan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew G Rundle
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel L Miller
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew S Perzanowski
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tara L Croston
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Brett J Green
- Office of the Director, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lee BG, Yang JI, Kim E, Geum SW, Park JH, Yeo MK. Investigation of bacterial and fungal communities in indoor and outdoor air of elementary school classrooms by 16S rRNA gene and ITS region sequencing. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1553-1562. [PMID: 33780050 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12825] [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: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The advent of high-throughput sequencing methods allowed researchers to fully characterize microbial community in environmental samples, which is crucial to better understand their health effects upon exposures. In our study, we investigated bacterial and fungal community in indoor and outdoor air of nine classrooms in three elementary schools in Seoul, Korea. The extracted bacterial 16S rRNA gene and fungal ITS regions were sequenced, and their taxa were identified. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction for total bacteria DNA was also performed. The bacterial community was richer in outdoor air than classroom air, whereas fungal diversity was similar indoors and outdoors. Bacteria such as Enhydrobacter, Micrococcus, and Staphylococcus that are generally found in human skin, mucous membrane, and intestine were found in great abundance. For fungi, Cladosporium, Clitocybe, and Daedaleopsis were the most abundant genera in classroom air and mostly related to outdoor plants. Bacterial community composition in classroom air was similar among all classrooms but differed from that in outdoor air. However, indoor and outdoor fungal community compositions were similar for the same school but different among schools. Our study indicated the main source of airborne bacteria in classrooms was likely human occupants; however, classroom airborne fungi most likely originated from outdoors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bong Gu Lee
- Department of Applied Environmental Science, Graduate School Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Korea
| | - Jun Il Yang
- Department of Applied Environmental Science, Graduate School Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Korea
| | - Euna Kim
- Department of Applied Environmental Science, Graduate School Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Korea
| | - Sun Woo Geum
- Department of Applied Environmental Science, Graduate School Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Korea
| | - Ju-Hyeong Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Min-Kyeong Yeo
- Department of Applied Environmental Science, Graduate School Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Korea
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Park JH, Lemons AR, Roseman J, Green BJ, Cox-Ganser JM. Bacterial community assemblages in classroom floor dust of 50 public schools in a large city: characterization using 16S rRNA sequences and associations with environmental factors. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:15. [PMID: 33472703 PMCID: PMC7819239 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00954-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing indoor microbial communities using molecular methods provides insight into bacterial assemblages present in environments that can influence occupants' health. We conducted an environmental assessment as part of an epidemiologic study of 50 elementary schools in a large city in the northeastern USA. We vacuumed dust from the edges of the floor in 500 classrooms accounting for 499 processed dust aliquots for 16S Illumina MiSeq sequencing to characterize bacterial assemblages. DNA sequences were organized into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and identified using a database derived from the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Bacterial diversity and ecological analyses were performed at the genus level. We identified 29 phyla, 57 classes, 148 orders, 320 families, 1193 genera, and 2045 species in 3073 OTUs. The number of genera per school ranged from 470 to 705. The phylum Proteobacteria was richest of all while Firmicutes was most abundant. The most abundant order included Lactobacillales, Spirulinales, and Clostridiales. Halospirulina was the most abundant genus, which has never been reported from any school studies before. Gram-negative bacteria were more abundant and richer (relative abundance = 0.53; 1632 OTUs) than gram-positive bacteria (0.47; 1441). Outdoor environment-associated genera were identified in greater abundance in the classrooms, in contrast to homes where human-associated bacteria are typically more abundant. Effects of school location, degree of water damage, building condition, number of students, air temperature and humidity, floor material, and classroom's floor level on the bacterial richness or community composition were statistically significant but subtle, indicating relative stability of classroom microbiome from environmental stress. Our study indicates that classroom floor dust had a characteristic bacterial community that is different from typical house dust represented by more gram-positive and human-associated bacteria. Health implications of exposure to the microbiomes in classroom floor dust may be different from those in homes for school staff and students. Video abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyeong Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Angela R Lemons
- Health Effect Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jerry Roseman
- Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health & Welfare Fund & Union, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brett J Green
- Health Effect Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jean M Cox-Ganser
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Olgun NS, Morris AM, Stefaniak AB, Bowers LN, Knepp AK, Duling MG, Mercer RR, Kashon ML, Fedan JS, Leonard SS. Biological effects of inhaled hydraulic fracturing sand dust. III. Cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory responses in cultured murine macrophage cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 408:115281. [PMID: 33065155 PMCID: PMC7952011 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cultured murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) were used to investigate the effects of fracking sand dust (FSD) for its pro-inflammatory activity, in order to gain insight into the potential toxicity to workers associated with inhalation of FSD during hydraulic fracturing. While the role of respirable crystalline silica in the development of silicosis is well documented, nothing is known about the toxicity of inhaled FSD. The FSD (FSD 8) used in these studies was from an unconventional gas well drilling site. FSD 8was prepared as a 10 mg/ml stock solution in sterile PBS, vortexed for 15 s, and allowed to sit at room temperature for 30 min before applying the suspension to RAW 264.7cells. Compared to PBS controls, cellular viability was significantly decreased after a 24 h exposure to FSD. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the production of IL-6, TNFα, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were up-regulated as a result of the exposure, whereas the hydroxyl radical (.OH) was only detected in an acellular system. Immunofluorescent staining of cells against TNFα revealed that FSD 8 caused cellular blebbing, and engulfment of FSD 8 by macrophages was observed with enhanced dark-field microscopy. The observed changes in cellular viability, cellular morphology, free radical generation and cytokine production all confirm that FSD 8 is cytotoxic to RAW 264.7 cells and warrants future studies into the specific pathways and mechanisms by which these toxicities occur.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S Olgun
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America.
| | - Anna M Morris
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Aleksandr B Stefaniak
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Lauren N Bowers
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Alycia K Knepp
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Matthew G Duling
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Robert R Mercer
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Michael L Kashon
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey S Fedan
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Stephen S Leonard
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Brito-Santos F, Trilles L, Firacative C, Wanke B, Carvalho-Costa FA, Nishikawa MM, Pereira Campos J, Junqueira ACV, de Souza AC, dos Santos Lazéra M, Meyer W. Indoor Dust as a Source of Virulent Strains of the Agents of Cryptococcosis in the Rio Negro Micro-Region of the Brazilian Amazon. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8050682. [PMID: 32392852 PMCID: PMC7284895 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8050682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis, a potentially fatal mycosis in humans, is acquired via exposure to exogenous environmental sources. This study aimed to investigate the frequency, genetic diversity, and virulence of cryptococcal strains isolated from indoor dust in the Rio Negro micro-region of the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 8.9% of the studied houses were positive, recovering nine Cryptococcus neoformans VNI and 16 C. gattii VGII isolates, revealing an endemic pattern in domestic microenvironments. The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) consensus multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complexes identified two sequence types (STs), ST93 and ST5, amongst C. neoformans isolates and six STs amongst C. gattii isolates, including the Vancouver Island Outbreak ST7 (VGIIa) and ST20 (VGIIb), the Australian ST5, and ST264, ST268 and ST445, being unique to the studied region. Virulence studies in the Galleria mellonella model showed that five C.gattii strains and one C. neoformans strain showed a similar pathogenic potential to the highly virulent Vancouver Island outbreak strain CDR265 (VGIIa). The findings of this study indicate that humans can be exposed to the agents of cryptococcosis via house dust, forming the basis for future studies to analyze the impact of early and continuous exposure to indoor dust on the development of subclinical or clinical infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Brito-Santos
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil (L.T.); (B.W.); (J.P.C.); (M.S.L.)
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital (Research and Education Network), Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney 2006, NSW, Australia;
| | - Luciana Trilles
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil (L.T.); (B.W.); (J.P.C.); (M.S.L.)
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital (Research and Education Network), Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney 2006, NSW, Australia;
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 541038, Colombia
| | - Bodo Wanke
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil (L.T.); (B.W.); (J.P.C.); (M.S.L.)
| | - Filipe Anibal Carvalho-Costa
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Systematics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | | | - Jonas Pereira Campos
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil (L.T.); (B.W.); (J.P.C.); (M.S.L.)
| | | | - Amanda Coutinho de Souza
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (A.C.V.J.)
| | - Márcia dos Santos Lazéra
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil (L.T.); (B.W.); (J.P.C.); (M.S.L.)
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil (L.T.); (B.W.); (J.P.C.); (M.S.L.)
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital (Research and Education Network), Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney 2006, NSW, Australia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-86273430
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lemons AR, Croston TL, Goldsmith WT, Barnes MA, Jaderson MA, Park JH, McKinney W, Beezhold DH, Green BJ. Cultivation and aerosolization of Stachybotrys chartarum for modeling pulmonary inhalation exposure. Inhal Toxicol 2019; 31:446-456. [PMID: 31874574 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2019.1705939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Stachybotrys chartarum is a hydrophilic fungal species commonly found as a contaminant in water-damaged building materials. Although several studies have suggested that S. chartarum exposure elicits a variety of adverse health effects, the ability to characterize the pulmonary immune responses to exposure is limited by delivery methods that do not replicate environmental exposure. This study aimed to develop a method of S. chartarum aerosolization to better model inhalation exposures. Materials and methods: An acoustical generator system (AGS) was previously developed and utilized to aerosolize and deliver fungal spores to mice housed in a multi-animal nose-only exposure chamber. In this study, methods for cultivating, heat-inactivating, and aerosolizing two macrocyclic trichothecene-producing strains of S. chartartum using the AGS are described. Results and discussion: In addition to conidia, acoustical generation of one strain of S. chartarum resulted in the aerosolization of fungal fragments (<2 µm aerodynamic diameter) derived from conidia, phialides, and hyphae that initially comprised 50% of the total fungal particle count but was reduced to less than 10% over the duration of aerosolization. Acoustical generation of heat-inactivated S. chartarum did not result in a similar level of fragmentation. Delivery of dry, unextracted S. chartarum using these aerosolization methods resulted in pulmonary inflammation and immune cell infiltration in mice inhaling viable, but not heat-inactivated S. chartarum. Conclusions: These methods of S. chartarum growth and aerosolization allow for the delivery of fungal bioaerosols to rodents that may better simulate natural exposure within water-damaged indoor environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela R Lemons
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Tara L Croston
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - W Travis Goldsmith
- Engineering and Control Technology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mark A Barnes
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mukhtar A Jaderson
- Field Studies Branch, Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ju-Hyeong Park
- Field Studies Branch, Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Walter McKinney
- Engineering and Control Technology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Donald H Beezhold
- Office of the Director, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Brett J Green
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Johnston JD, Cowger AE, Graul RJ, Nash R, Tueller JA, Hendrickson NR, Robinson DR, Beard JD, Weber KS. Associations between evaporative cooling and dust-mite allergens, endotoxins, and β-(1 → 3)-d-glucans in house dust: A study of low-income homes. INDOOR AIR 2019; 29:1005-1017. [PMID: 31463967 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12600] [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: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recent work suggests that evaporative coolers increase the level and diversity of bioaerosols, but this association remains understudied in low-income homes. We conducted a cross-sectional study of metropolitan, low-income homes in Utah with evaporative coolers (n = 20) and central air conditioners (n = 28). Dust samples (N = 147) were collected from four locations in each home and analyzed for dust-mite allergens Der p1 and Der f1, endotoxins, and β-(1 → 3)-d-glucans. In all sample locations combined, Der p1 or Der f1 was significantly higher in evaporative cooler versus central air conditioning homes (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.05-4.98). Endotoxin concentration was significantly higher in evaporative cooler versus central air conditioning homes in furniture (geometric mean (GM) = 8.05 vs 2.85 EU/mg, P < .01) and all samples combined (GM = 3.60 vs 1.29 EU/mg, P = .03). β-(1 → 3)-d-glucan concentration and surface loads were significantly higher in evaporative cooler versus central air conditioning homes in all four sample locations and all samples combined (P < .01). Our study suggests that low-income, evaporative cooled homes have higher levels of immunologically important bioaerosols than central air-conditioned homes in dry climates, warranting studies on health implications and other exposed populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James D Johnston
- Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - Ashlin E Cowger
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - Robert J Graul
- Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - Ryan Nash
- Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - Josie A Tueller
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | | | | | - John D Beard
- Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - K Scott Weber
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lemons AR, Lindsley WG, Green BJ. Collection and Extraction of Occupational Air Samples for Analysis of Fungal DNA. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29782003 DOI: 10.3791/56730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional methods of identifying fungal exposures in occupational environments, such as culture and microscopy-based approaches, have several limitations that have resulted in the exclusion of many species. Advances in the field over the last two decades have led occupational health researchers to turn to molecular-based approaches for identifying fungal hazards. These methods have resulted in the detection of many species within indoor and occupational environments that have not been detected using traditional methods. This protocol details an approach for determining fungal diversity within air samples through genomic DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing, and taxonomic identification of fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. ITS sequencing results in the detection of many fungal species that are either not detected or difficult to identify to species level using culture or microscopy. While these methods do not provide quantitative measures of fungal burden, they offer a new approach to hazard identification and can be used to determine overall species richness and diversity within an occupational environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela R Lemons
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
| | - William G Lindsley
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Brett J Green
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Izadi N, Brar KK, Lanser BJ. Evaporative coolers are not associated with dust mite or mold sensitization in a large pediatric cohort. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018; 120:542-543. [PMID: 29481887 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2018.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|