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Matthews K, Cavagnaro T, Weinstein P, Stanhope J. Health by design; optimising our urban environmental microbiomes for human health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 257:119226. [PMID: 38797467 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119226] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Humans have evolved in direct and intimate contact with their environment and the microbes that it contains, over a period of 2 million years. As a result, human physiology has become intrinsically linked to environmental microbiota. Urbanisation has reduced our exposure to harmful pathogens, however there is now increasing evidence that these same health-protective improvements in our environment may also be contributing to a hidden disease burden: immune dysregulation. Thoughtful and purposeful design has the potential to ameliorate these health concerns by providing sources of microbial diversity for human exposure. In this narrative review, we highlight the role of environmental microbiota in human health and provide insights into how we can optimise human health through well-designed cities, urban landscapes and buildings. The World Health Organization recommends there should be at least one public green space of least 0.5 ha in size within 300m of a place of residence. We argue that these larger green spaces are more likely to permit functioning ecosystems that deliver ecosystem services, including the provision of diverse aerobiomes. Urban planning must consider the conservation and addition of large public green spaces, while landscape design needs to consider how to maximise environmental, social and public health outcomes, which may include rewilding. Landscape designers need to consider how people use these spaces, and how to optimise utilisation, including for those who may experience challenges in access (e.g. those living with disabilities, people in residential care). There are also opportunities to improve health via building design that improves access to diverse environmental microbiota. Considerations include having windows that open, indoor plants, and the relationship between function, form and organization. We emphasise possibilities for re-introducing potentially health-giving microbial exposures into urban environments, particularly where the benefits of exposure to biodiverse environments may have been lost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Matthews
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia; School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Timothy Cavagnaro
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia; School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Environment Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Philip Weinstein
- Environment Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jessica Stanhope
- Environment Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; School of Allied Health Science and Practice, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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Benton LD, Lopez-Galvez N, Herman C, Caporaso JG, Cope EK, Rosales C, Gameros M, Lothrop N, Martínez FD, Wright AL, Carr TF, Beamer PI. Environmental and structural factors associated with bacterial diversity in household dust across the Arizona-Sonora border. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12803. [PMID: 38834753 PMCID: PMC11150412 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63356-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that asthma prevalence was higher in the United States (US) compared to Mexico (MX) (25.8% vs. 8.4%). This investigation assessed differences in microbial dust composition in relation to demographic and housing characteristics on both sides of the US-MX Border. Forty homes were recruited in the US and MX. Home visits collected floor dust and documented occupants' demographics, asthma prevalence, housing structure, and use characteristics. US households were more likely to have inhabitants who reported asthma when compared with MX households (30% vs. 5%) and had significantly different flooring types. The percentage of households on paved roads, with flushing toilets, with piped water and with air conditioning was higher in the US, while dust load was higher in MX. Significant differences exist between countries in the microbial composition of the floor dust. Dust from Mexican homes was enriched with Alishewanella, Paracoccus, Rheinheimera genera and Intrasporangiaceae family. A predictive metagenomics analysis identified 68 significantly differentially abundant functional pathways between US and MX. This study documented multiple structural, environmental, and demographic differences between homes in the US and MX that may contribute to significantly different microbial composition of dust observed in these two countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren D Benton
- Department of Pediatrics, Steele Children's Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA.
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA.
| | - Nicolas Lopez-Galvez
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave, PO 245210, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
- San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego State University, 5250 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Chloe Herman
- Center for Applied Microbiome Science, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, 1350 S Knoles Dr, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - J Gregory Caporaso
- Center for Applied Microbiome Science, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, 1350 S Knoles Dr, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Emily K Cope
- Center for Applied Microbiome Science, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, 1350 S Knoles Dr, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Cecilia Rosales
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave, PO 245210, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Mercedes Gameros
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave, PO 245210, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Nathan Lothrop
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave, PO 245210, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Fernando D Martínez
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Anne L Wright
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Tara F Carr
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Paloma I Beamer
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave, PO 245210, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
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Zhu DM, Yan YS, Wang H, Zhong Y, Inam, Gao YH, Li GM, Mu GD, Dong HF, Li Y, Liu DK, Ma HX, Kong LC. Transmission of human-pet antibiotic resistance via aerosols in pet hospitals of Changchun. One Health 2024; 18:100765. [PMID: 38855194 PMCID: PMC11157275 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, aerosols have been recognized as a prominent medium for the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes. Among these, particles with a particle size of 2 μm (PM2.5) can directly penetrate the alveoli. However, the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes in aerosols from pet hospitals and the potential risks posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in these aerosols to humans and animals need to be investigated. In this study, cefotaxime-resistant bacteria were collected from 5 representative pet hospitals in Changchun using a Six-Stage Andersen Cascade Impactor. The distribution of bacteria in each stage was analyzed, and bacteria from stage 5 and 6 were isolated and identified. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of isolates against 12 antimicrobials were determined using broth microdilution method. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction was employed to detect resistance genes and mobile genetic elements that could facilitate resistance spread. The results indicated that ARBs were enriched in stage 5 (1.1-2.1 μm) and stage 3 (3.3-4.7 μm) of the sampler. A total of 159 isolates were collected from stage 5 and 6. Among these isolates, the genera Enterococcus spp. (51%), Staphylococcus spp. (19%), and Bacillus spp. (14%) were the most prevalent. The isolates exhibited the highest resistance to tetracycline and the lowest resistance to cefquinome. Furthermore, 56 (73%) isolates were multidrug-resistant. Quantitative PCR revealed the expression of 165 genes in these isolates, with mobile genetic elements showing the highest expression levels. In conclusion, PM2.5 from pet hospitals harbor a significant number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and carry mobile genetic elements, posing a potential risk for alveolar infections and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dao Mi Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
| | - Ya Song Yan
- The Key Laboratory of New Veterinary Drug Research and Development of Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
| | - Hao Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
| | - Yue Zhong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
| | - Inam
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
| | - Yun Hang Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
| | - Gong Mei Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
| | - Guo Dong Mu
- Jilin Provincial Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Jilin Animal Husbandry Building, Xi'an Road No. 4510, Changchun, PR China
| | - Hui Feng Dong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biological Feed Additive Enterprise, S&E Burgeoning Biotechnology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd, No.27, Shengda Second Branch Road, Wangwenzhuang Industrial Park, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300383, PR China
| | - Yuan Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biological Feed Additive Enterprise, S&E Burgeoning Biotechnology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd, No.27, Shengda Second Branch Road, Wangwenzhuang Industrial Park, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300383, PR China
| | - Ding Kuo Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biological Feed Additive Enterprise, S&E Burgeoning Biotechnology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd, No.27, Shengda Second Branch Road, Wangwenzhuang Industrial Park, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300383, PR China
| | - Hong Xia Ma
- The Engineering Research Center of Bioreactor and Drug Development, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
- The Key Laboratory of New Veterinary Drug Research and Development of Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
| | - Ling Cong Kong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
- The Key Laboratory of New Veterinary Drug Research and Development of Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Xincheng Street No. 2888, Changchun 130118, PR China
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Lu Y, Duan M, Li Y, Zhang S, Hu X, Liu L. Altitude-associated trends in bacterial communities in ultrahigh-altitude residences. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 185:108503. [PMID: 38377724 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108503] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoor bacterial communities may change with altitude because their major contributors, outdoor bacterial communities, vary with altitude. People's health effects from bacteria inhalation exposure can also vary with altitude because human respiratory physiology changes with oxygen content in air. Accordingly, adjusting indoor bacterial communities may help to acclimate newcomers from low-altitude environments to ultrahigh-altitude environments. To lay the groundwork for further research, we aimed to first elucidate the bacterial communities in ultrahigh-altitude residences and the effects of altitude on these communities. We collected 187 environmental samples from residential communities at ultrahigh altitudes of 3811-4651 m in Ngari, China and sequenced bacterial 16S rRNA genes. RESULTS On one hand, when abundant genera in ultrahigh-altitude residences and those reported by previous studies on low-altitude residences were compared, nine genera were shared, whereas other five genera were abundant only at ultrahigh altitudes. On the other hand, when the bacterial communities of residences at different ultrahigh altitudes were further compared, the bacterial composition in indoor surface samples varied significantly with altitude. The relative abundance of five bacterial genera in indoor air samples and 10 genera and three phyla in indoor surface samples varied monotonically with altitude. CONCLUSIONS Altitude may be a long-neglected factor that shapes residential bacterial communities and thus warrants attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Lu
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Eco-Planning & Green Building, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mengjie Duan
- Laboratory of Eco-Planning & Green Building, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Eco-Planning & Green Building, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shengyu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiaomin Hu
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Eco-Planning & Green Building, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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Jarma D, Maestre JP, Sanchez J, Brodfuehrer S, Katz LE, Horner S, Kinney KA. Participant-collected household dust for assessing microorganisms and semi-volatile organic compounds in urban homes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168230. [PMID: 37951260 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Dust samples collected by researchers and study participants from 43 U.S. urban homes were analyzed and compared to evaluate the feasibility of using participant-collected samples to assess indoor environmental exposures. The microbial and chemical composition of participant-collected (and shipped) samples were compared to researcher-collected samples from the same household, using dust recovered from each home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filter. The bacterial and fungal communities present in all dust samples were determined via MiSeq 16S and ITS sequencing, and the concentrations of 27 semi-volatile organic compounds (7 orthophosphates, 6 phthalates, and 14 brominated flame retardants) were determined via GC-MS. Self-report data on the home environment was collected via an online survey of study participants. While the researcher-collected samples (RCS) yielded greater mass than the participant-collected samples (PCS), the alpha and beta diversities of the bacterial and fungal communities recovered in the RCS and PCS were not significantly different, indicating that PCS is a viable option for indoor microbiome studies of residential homes. The microbial communities recovered in both cases reflected the dominance of human-associated bacterial taxa and outdoor-associated fungal taxa with similar pathogen-associated taxa present in each sample type. In both PCS and RCS, the amount of carpet in the home and the frequency of bleach use had a significant effect on the composition of fungal communities. Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) of potential human health concern, were commonly detected in the homes. Organophosphates and phthalates were recovered at a similar frequency in both PCS and RCS. Measured SVOC concentration levels were consistent with previous indoor studies although differences were observed between PCS and RCS for several SVOCs. This study demonstrates the potential and challenges associated with participant-collected dust samples for indoor environment studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Jarma
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA
| | - J P Maestre
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA
| | - J Sanchez
- School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA
| | - S Brodfuehrer
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA
| | - L E Katz
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA
| | - S Horner
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA
| | - K A Kinney
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA.
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Onwusereaka CO, Jalaludin J, Oluchi SE, Poh Choo VC. New generation sequencing: molecular approaches for the detection and monitoring of bioaerosols in an indoor environment: a systematic review. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2024; 0:reveh-2023-0004. [PMID: 38214730 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2023-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The exposure of occupants to indoor air pollutants has increased in recent decades. The aim of this review is to discuss an overview of new approaches that are used to study fungal aerosols. Thus, this motivation was to compensate the gaps caused by the use of only traditional approaches in the study of fungal exposure. CONTENT The search involved various databases such as; Science Direct, PubMed, SAGE, Springer Link, EBCOHOST, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane library, Web of Science and Wiley Online Library. It was limited to full text research articles that reported the use of non-viable method in assessing bioaerosol, written in English Language, full text publications and published from year 2015-2022. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK A total of 15 articles met the inclusion criteria and was included in this review. The use of next-generation sequencing, which is more commonly referred to as high-throughput sequencing (HTS) or molecular methods in microbial studies is based on the detection of genetic material of organisms present in a given sample. Applying these methods to different environments permitted the identification of the microorganisms present, and a better comprehension of the environmental impacts and ecological roles of microbial communities. Based on the reviewed articles, there is evidence that dust samples harbour a high diversity of human-associated bacteria and fungi. Molecular methods such as next generation sequencing are reliable tools for identifying and tracking the bacterial and fungal diversity in dust samples using 18S metagenomics approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Oluchi Onwusereaka
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Juliana Jalaludin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sampson Emilia Oluchi
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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Cochran SJ, Acosta L, Divjan A, Lemons AR, Rundle AG, Miller RL, Sobek E, Green BJ, Perzanowski MS, Dannemiller KC. Fungal diversity in homes and asthma morbidity among school-age children in New York City. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117296. [PMID: 37806477 PMCID: PMC10842248 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117296] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma development has been inversely associated with exposure to fungal diversity. However, the influence of fungi on measures of asthma morbidity is not well understood. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to test the hypothesis that fungal diversity is inversely associated with neighborhood asthma prevalence and identify specific fungal species associated with asthma morbidity. METHODS Children aged 7-8 years (n = 347) living in higher (11-18%) and lower (3-9%) asthma prevalence neighborhoods were recruited within an asthma case-control study. Fungal communities were analyzed from floor dust using high-throughput DNA sequencing. A subset of asthmatic children (n = 140) was followed to age 10-11 to determine asthma persistence. RESULTS Neighborhood asthma prevalence was inversely associated with fungal species richness (P = 0.010) and Shannon diversity (P = 0.059). Associations between neighborhood asthma prevalence and diversity indices were driven by differences in building type and presence of bedroom carpet. Among children with asthma at age 7-8 years, Shannon fungal diversity was inversely associated with frequent asthma symptoms at that age (OR 0.57, P = 0.025) and with asthma persistence to age 10-11 (OR 0.48, P = 0.043). Analyses of individual fungal species did not show significant associations with asthma outcomes when adjusted for false discovery rates. DISCUSSION Lower fungal diversity was associated with asthma symptoms in this urban setting. Individual fungal species associated with asthma morbidity were not detected. Further research is warranted into building type, carpeting, and other environmental characteristics which influence fungal exposures in homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Cochran
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Luis Acosta
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Adnan Divjan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Angela R Lemons
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Andrew G Rundle
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, 10032, NY, USA
| | - Rachel L Miller
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
| | - Edward Sobek
- Assured Bio Laboratories, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
| | - Brett J Green
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Matthew S Perzanowski
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Karen C Dannemiller
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Sustainability Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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Xie J, Acosta EM, Gitai Z. Bacterial viability in the built environment of the home. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288092. [PMID: 37939059 PMCID: PMC10631670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The built environment (BE) consists of human-made structures and, much like living organisms, is colonized by bacteria that make up the BE microbiome. The BE microbiome can potentially affect human health because of the constant proximity of these bacteria to humans. This has led to increasing public concern of whether the bacteria in the BE are harmful. Previous studies have used approaches based on DNA sequencing to assess the composition of the BE microbiome. However, the extent to which the bacterial DNA in the BE represents viable bacterial cells that could infect human hosts remains unknown. To address this open question we used both culture-based and culture-independent molecular methods to profile bacterial viability of the microbiomes from several BE sites. As part of an undergraduate-led project, we found that the vast majority of the bacterial DNA from the BE is not associated with viable bacteria, suggesting that most bacteria in the BE are dead. To begin to understand the determinants of bacterial viability in the BE we used mock bacterial communities to investigate the effects of temperature, relative humidity, and human interaction on bacterial viability. We found that relative humidity, temperature, and surface material did not have statistically significant effects on BE microbiome viability, but environmental exposure decreased bacterial viability. These results update our conception of the BE microbiome and begin to define the factors that affect BE microbiome viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Xie
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States of America
| | - Ellen M. Acosta
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States of America
| | - Zemer Gitai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States of America
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Benton L, Lopez-Galvez N, Herman C, Caporaso G, Cope E, Rosales C, Gameros M, Lothrop N, Martínez F, Wright A, Carr T, Beamer P. Environmental and Structural Factors Associated with Bacterial Diversity in Household Dust Across the Arizona-Sonora Border. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3325336. [PMID: 37841844 PMCID: PMC10571632 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3325336/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported that asthma prevalence was higher in the United States (US) compared to Mexico (MX) (25.8% vs 8.4%). This investigation assessed differences in microbial dust composition in relation to demographic and housing characteristics on both sides of the US-MX Border. Forty homes were recruited in the US and MX. Home visits collected floor dust and documented occupants' demographics, asthma prevalence, and housing structure and use characteristics. US households were more likely to have inhabitants who reported asthma when compared with MX households (30% vs 5%) and had significantly different flooring types. The percentage of households on paved roads, with flushing toilets, with piped water and with air conditioning was higher in the US, while dust load was higher in MX. Significant differences exist between countries in the microbial composition of the floor dust. Dust from US homes was enriched with Geodermatophilus, whereas dust from Mexican homes was enriched with Alishewanella and Chryseomicrobium. A predictive metagenomics analysis identified 68 significantly differentially abundant functional pathways between US and MX. This study documented multiple structural, environmental, and demographic differences between homes in the US and MX that may contribute to significantly different microbial composition of dust observed in these two countries.
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10
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Amin H, Šantl-Temkiv T, Cramer C, Finster K, Real FG, Gislason T, Holm M, Janson C, Jögi NO, Jogi R, Malinovschi A, Marshall IPG, Modig L, Norbäck D, Shigdel R, Sigsgaard T, Svanes C, Thorarinsdottir H, Wouters IM, Schlünssen V, Bertelsen RJ. Indoor Airborne Microbiome and Endotoxin: Meteorological Events and Occupant Characteristics Are Important Determinants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:11750-11766. [PMID: 37523308 PMCID: PMC10433529 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01616] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Airborne bacteria and endotoxin may affect asthma and allergies. However, there is limited understanding of the environmental determinants that influence them. This study investigated the airborne microbiomes in the homes of 1038 participants from five cities in Northern Europe: Aarhus, Bergen, Reykjavik, Tartu, and Uppsala. Airborne dust particles were sampled with electrostatic dust fall collectors (EDCs) from the participants' bedrooms. The dust washed from the EDCs' clothes was used to extract DNA and endotoxin. The DNA extracts were used for quantitative polymerase chain (qPCR) measurement and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while endotoxin was measured using the kinetic chromogenic limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. The results showed that households in Tartu and Aarhus had a higher bacterial load and diversity than those in Bergen and Reykjavik, possibly due to elevated concentrations of outdoor bacterial taxa associated with low precipitation and high wind speeds. Bergen-Tartu had the highest difference (ANOSIM R = 0.203) in β diversity. Multivariate regression models showed that α diversity indices and bacterial and endotoxin loads were positively associated with the occupants' age, number of occupants, cleaning frequency, presence of dogs, and age of the house. Further studies are needed to understand how meteorological factors influence the indoor bacterial community in light of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesham Amin
- Department
of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Tina Šantl-Temkiv
- Section
for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christine Cramer
- Department
of Public Health, Environment, Work and Health, Danish Ramazzini Center, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department
of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Center, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kai Finster
- Section
for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Mathias Holm
- Department
of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christer Janson
- Department
of Medical Sciences: Respiratory, Allergy, Sleep Research, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department
of Medical Sciences: Clinical Physiology, Uppsala University, 751
85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nils Oskar Jögi
- Department
of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Rain Jogi
- Tartu
University Hospital, Lung Clinic, 50406 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andrei Malinovschi
- Department
of Medical Sciences: Clinical Physiology, Uppsala University, 751
85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ian P. G. Marshall
- Section
for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lars Modig
- Division
of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health
and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Dan Norbäck
- Department of Medical
Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, 751
85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rajesh Shigdel
- Department
of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Department
of Public Health, Environment, Work and Health, Danish Ramazzini Center, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Svanes
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland
University Hospital, 5053 Bergen, Norway
- Centre for International Health, University
of Bergen Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Hulda Thorarinsdottir
- Department of Anesthesia
and Intensive Care, Landspitali University
Hospital, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Inge M. Wouters
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department
of Public Health, Environment, Work and Health, Danish Ramazzini Center, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Randi J. Bertelsen
- Department
of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
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11
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Konecna E, Videnska P, Buresova L, Urik M, Smetanova S, Smatana S, Prokes R, Lanickova B, Budinska E, Klanova J, Borilova Linhartova P. Enrichment of human nasopharyngeal bacteriome with bacteria from dust after short-term exposure to indoor environment: a pilot study. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:202. [PMID: 37525095 PMCID: PMC10391871 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02951-5] [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: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoor dust particles are an everyday source of human exposure to microorganisms and their inhalation may directly affect the microbiota of the respiratory tract. We aimed to characterize the changes in human nasopharyngeal bacteriome after short-term exposure to indoor (workplace) environments. METHODS In this pilot study, nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from 22 participants in the morning and after 8 h of their presence at the workplace. At the same time points, indoor dust samples were collected from the participants' households (16 from flats and 6 from houses) and workplaces (8 from a maternity hospital - NEO, 6 from a pediatric hospital - ENT, and 8 from a research center - RCX). 16S rRNA sequencing analysis was performed on these human and environmental matrices. RESULTS Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium were the most abundant genera in both indoor dust and nasopharyngeal samples. The analysis indicated lower bacterial diversity in indoor dust samples from flats compared to houses, NEO, ENT, and RCX (p < 0.05). Participants working in the NEO had the highest nasopharyngeal bacterial diversity of all groups (p < 0.05). After 8 h of exposure to the workplace environment, enrichment of the nasopharynx with several new bacterial genera present in the indoor dust was observed in 76% of study participants; however, no significant changes were observed at the level of the nasopharyngeal bacterial diversity (p > 0.05, Shannon index). These "enriching" bacterial genera overlapped between the hospital workplaces - NEO and ENT but differed from those in the research center - RCX. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that although the composition of nasopharyngeal bacteriome is relatively stable during the day. Short-term exposure to the indoor environment can result in the enrichment of the nasopharynx with bacterial DNA from indoor dust; the bacterial composition, however, varies by the indoor workplace environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Konecna
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Videnska
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Buresova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Urik
- Department of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Brno, Černopolní 9, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sona Smetanova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Stanislav Smatana
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Prokes
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
- Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 986/4a, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Barbara Lanickova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Brno, Obilni Trh 526/11, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Budinska
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Klanova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
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12
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Wang Z, Dalton KR, Lee M, Parks CG, Beane Freeman LE, Zhu Q, González A, Knight R, Zhao S, Motsinger-Reif AA, London SJ. Metagenomics reveals novel microbial signatures of farm exposures in house dust. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1202194. [PMID: 37415812 PMCID: PMC10321240 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1202194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Indoor home dust microbial communities, important contributors to human health, are shaped by environmental factors, including farm-related exposures. Advanced metagenomic whole genome shotgun sequencing (WGS) improves detection and characterization of microbiota in the indoor built-environment dust microbiome, compared to conventional 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing (16S). We hypothesized that the improved characterization of indoor dust microbial communities by WGS will enhance detection of exposure-outcome associations. The objective of this study was to identify novel associations of environmental exposures with the dust microbiome from the homes of 781 farmers and farm spouses enrolled in the Agricultural Lung Health Study. We examined various farm-related exposures, including living on a farm, crop versus animal production, and type of animal production, as well as non-farm exposures, including home cleanliness and indoor pets. We assessed the association of the exposures on within-sample alpha diversity and between-sample beta diversity, and the differential abundance of specific microbes by exposure. Results were compared to previous findings using 16S. We found most farm exposures were significantly positively associated with both alpha and beta diversity. Many microbes exhibited differential abundance related to farm exposures, mainly in the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. The identification of novel differential taxa associated with farming at the genera level, including Rhodococcus, Bifidobacterium, Corynebacterium, and Pseudomonas, was a benefit of WGS compared to 16S. Our findings indicate that characterization of dust microbiota, an important component of the indoor environment relevant to human health, is heavily influenced by sequencing techniques. WGS is a powerful tool to survey the microbial community that provides novel insights on the impact of environmental exposures on indoor dust microbiota. These findings can inform the design of future studies in environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyue Wang
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Kathryn R. Dalton
- Genomics and the Environment in Respiratory and Allergic Health Group, Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Mikyeong Lee
- Genomics and the Environment in Respiratory and Allergic Health Group, Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Christine G. Parks
- Genomics and the Environment in Respiratory and Allergic Health Group, Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Laura E. Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Qiyun Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Antonio González
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Rob Knight
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alison A. Motsinger-Reif
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Stephanie J. London
- Genomics and the Environment in Respiratory and Allergic Health Group, Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
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13
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Wang Z, Dalton KR, Lee M, Parks CG, Beane Freeman LE, Zhu Q, Gonz Lez A, Knight R, Zhao S, Motsinger-Reif AA, London SJ. Metagenomics reveals novel microbial signatures of farm exposures in house dust. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.07.23288301. [PMID: 37090637 PMCID: PMC10120797 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.07.23288301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Indoor home dust microbial communities, important contributors to human health outcomes, are shaped by environmental factors, including farm-related exposures. Detection and characterization of microbiota are influenced by sequencing methodology; however, it is unknown if advanced metagenomic whole genome shotgun sequencing (WGS) can detect novel associations between environmental exposures and the indoor built-environment dust microbiome, compared to conventional 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing (16S). This study aimed to better depict indoor dust microbial communities using WGS to investigate novel associations with environmental risk factors from the homes of 781 farmers and farm spouses enrolled in the Agricultural Lung Health Study. We examined various farm-related exposures, including living on a farm, crop versus animal production, and type of animal production, as well as non-farm exposures, including home cleanliness and indoor pets. We assessed the association of the exposures on within-sample alpha diversity and between-sample beta diversity, and the differential abundance of specific microbes by exposure. Results were compared to previous findings using 16S. We found most farm exposures were significantly positively associated with both alpha and beta diversity. Many microbes exhibited differential abundance related to farm exposures, mainly in the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes , and Proteobacteria . The identification of novel differential taxa associated with farming at the genera level, including Rhodococcus, Bifidobacterium, Corynebacterium , and Pseudomonas , was a benefit of WGS compared to 16S. Our findings indicate that characterization of dust microbiota, an important component of the indoor environment relevant to human health, is heavily influenced by sequencing techniques. WGS is a powerful tool to survey the microbial community that provides novel insights on the impact of environmental exposures on indoor dust microbiota, and should be an important consideration in designing future studies in environmental health.
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14
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Alidoust S, Huang W. A decade of research on housing and health: a systematic literature review. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 38:45-64. [PMID: 34751014 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper provides a systematic review of the evidence linking housing and health. This involved a review of 59 peer-reviewed journal papers, that included case studies on the health impacts of housing and were published in English, in the past decade (2010-2020). Our systematic review of the literature suggested most of the research on the health impacts of housing employed quantitative methodology, were conducted in the Global North and were published in Medical and Health Sciences journals. Research findings demonstrated four key areas through which housing impacts health: neighbourhood or context, physical building, housing market and housing policy. This paper provides valuable information to researchers for future research directions on the associations between housing and health and to decision-makers and planners for planning healthy cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Alidoust
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Wei Huang
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
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15
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Alcala E, Capitman JA, Cisneros R. The Moderating Role of Housing Quality on Concentrated Poverty and Asthma-Related Emergency Department Visits Among Hispanics/Latinos. J Asthma 2023:1-8. [PMID: 36927232 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2023.2188567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Background. Rates of asthma-related emergency department visits have been shown to vary significantly by place (i.e., neighborhood) and race/ethnicity. The moderating factors of asthmatic events among Hispanic/Latino-specific populations are known to a much lesser degree. Objective. To assess the extent to which housing moderates the effect of poverty on Hispanic/Latino-specific asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits at an ecological level. Methods. Using data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) and the 2016-2017 U.S. Census, a cross-sectional ecological analysis at the census tract-level was conducted. Crosswalk files from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development were used to associate zip codes to census tracts. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate rate ratios. Results. The effect of poverty on asthma-related ED visits was significantly moderated by the median year of housing structures built. The effect of mid-level poverty (RR= 1.57, 95% CI 1.27, 1.95) and high-level poverty (RR= 1.47, 95% CI 1.22, 1.78) in comparison to low-level poverty, was significantly greater among census tracts with housing built prior to 1965 in comparison to census tract with housing built between 1965-2020. Conclusion. Communities with older housing structures tend to be associated with increased Hispanic/Latino ED visits apart from affluent communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Alcala
- Department of Public Health, School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA.,Central Valley Health Policy Institute, College of Health and Human Services, California State University, Fresno, CA 93740, USA
| | - John A Capitman
- Central Valley Health Policy Institute, College of Health and Human Services, California State University, Fresno, CA 93740, USA
| | - Ricardo Cisneros
- Department of Public Health, School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA
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16
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Taniguchi Y, Kobayashi M. Exposure to dogs and cats and risk of asthma: A retrospective study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282184. [PMID: 36888591 PMCID: PMC9994694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Findings on the relationship between pet exposure and asthma in western countries are inconsistent. This retrospective study examined the association of owning a dog or cat with the onset of asthma in Japanese people. We also investigated whether there is a critical window during which exposure to dogs and cats can reduce the risk of asthma by stratifying the analysis by the age at which pet ownership began. We analyzed data collected in an internet survey conducted by the Japan Pet Food Association in 2021. Valid data were obtained from 4290 participants for analysis of dog ownership and 4308 participants for analysis of cat ownership. In these respective groups, 41.2% had owned a dog and 26.5% had owned a cat. During the follow-up period, 5.7% of dog owners and 14.8% of non-dog owners developed asthma, as did 5.6% of cat owners and 13.5% of non-cat owners. On binomial logistic regression analysis, participants who had not owned a dog had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.01 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45-2.78) of developing asthma compared to those who had owned a dog after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics. The corresponding OR of asthma onset among participants who had not owned a cat was 2.24 (95%CI: 1.56-3.23). Stratified analysis showed that while younger participants who had not owned a dog had higher ORs of developing asthma, those who had not owned a cat had similar ORs of asthma onset across all age categories. These results suggest that while there may be a critical window in early life during which exposure to dogs can prevent asthma onset, the protective effect of cat exposure is constant across all ages in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Taniguchi
- Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Maasa Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International University, Tokyo, Japan
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Wang J, Janson C, Malinovschi A, Holm M, Franklin KA, Modig L, Johannessen A, Schlünssen V, Gislason T, Jogi NO, Norbäck D. Asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis in association with home environment - The RHINE study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:158609. [PMID: 36089044 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We studied home environment exposures in relation to asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis among offspring of participants (parents) in the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) study (age ≤ 30 y). Totally 17,881 offspring from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Estonia were included. Home environment exposures, including dampness and mold, type of dwelling, construction year and indoor painting were registered through a questionnaire answered by parents in the first follow up (RHINE II). The parents reported ten years later with in the frame of RHINE III offspring's birth year and offspring's asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis. They also reported dampness and mold at home from RHINE II to RHINE III. The prevalence of offspring's asthma before 10 y, asthma after 10 y, allergic rhinitis at any age and atopic dermatitis at any age were 9.7 %, 4.3 %, 15.6 % and 17.3 %, respectively. Asthma before 10 y was related to any indoor painting at RHINE II (OR = 1.14, 95%CI (1.02, 1.29)). Asthma after 10 y was associated with dampness/mold at home (OR = 1.33-1.62) and living in the newest buildings (constructed in 1986-2001) (OR = 1.30, 95%CI (1.02, 1.66)). Allergic rhinitis was associated with living in newer buildings (constructed in 1961-2001) (OR = 1.16-1.24). Atopic dermatitis was associated with visible mold (OR = 1.35, 95%CI(1.12, 1.62)), dampness/mold at home (OR = 1.18-1.38), living in apartments (OR = 1.22, 95%CI(1.10, 1.35)) and living in newer buildings (constructed in 1961-2001) (OR = 1.14-1.25). There were dose-response effects of dampness and mold on offspring's asthma after 10 y and atopic dermatitis (20 years exposure vs. 10 years exposure). Older offspring had increased risk of developing asthma after 10 y and atopic dermatitis. In conclusion, home dampness and mold, living in apartments, living in newer buildings and indoor painting were associated with offspring's asthma or allergic diseases. Stronger health effects were found among offspring with prolonged exposure of dampness/mold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Christer Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andrei Malinovschi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Physiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mathias Holm
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karl A Franklin
- Department of Surgical and Preoperative Sciences, Surgery, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars Modig
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Sustainable Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ane Johannessen
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thorarinn Gislason
- Department of Sleep, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Nils Oskar Jogi
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Dan Norbäck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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18
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Cochran SJ, Acosta L, Divjan A, Lemons AR, Rundle AG, Miller RL, Sobek E, Green BJ, Perzanowski MS, Dannemiller KC. Spring is associated with increased total and allergenic fungal concentrations in house dust from a pediatric asthma cohort in New York City. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 226:10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109711. [PMID: 37215628 PMCID: PMC10193533 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Asthma and allergy symptoms vary seasonally due to exposure to environmental sources of allergen, including fungi. However, we need an improved understanding of seasonal influence on fungal exposures in the indoor environment. We hypothesized that concentrations of total fungi and allergenic species in vacuumed dust vary significantly by season. Objective Assess seasonal variation of indoor fungi with greater implications related to seasonal asthma control. Methods We combined next-generation sequencing with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to measure concentrations of fungal DNA in indoor floor dust samples (n = 298) collected from homes participating in the New York City Neighborhood Asthma and Allergy Study (NAAS). Results Total fungal concentration in spring was significantly higher than the other three seasons (p ≤ 0.005). Mean concentrations for 78% of fungal species were elevated in the spring (26% were significantly highest in spring, p < 0.05). Concentrations of 8 allergenic fungal species were significantly (p < 0.5) higher in spring compared to at least two other seasons. Indoor relative humidity and temperature were significantly highest in spring (p < 0.05) and were associated with total fungal concentration (R2 = 0.049, R2 = 0.11, respectively). Conclusion There is significant seasonal variation in total fungal concentration and concentration of select allergenic species. Indoor relative humidity and temperature may underlie these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J. Cochran
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Environmental Science Graduate Program. Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Luis Acosta
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Adnan Divjan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Angela R. Lemons
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Andrew G. Rundle
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, 10032, NY, USA
| | - Rachel L. Miller
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Edward Sobek
- Assured Bio Laboratories, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
| | - Brett J. Green
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Matthew S. Perzanowski
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Karen C. Dannemiller
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Sustainability Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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Li Z, Zheng N, An Q, Li X, Sun S, Zhang W, Ji Y, Wang S, Li P. Impact of environmental factors and bacterial interactions on dust mite allergens in different indoor dust. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157177. [PMID: 35803427 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Indoor dust is the main carrier of indoor pollutants, especially dust mite allergens and bacteria, they can trigger asthma, rhinitis, eczema and other allergic diseases. However, the interactions between dust mite allergens and bacterial communities in different types of indoor dust are not clear. The study focused on particulate and flocculent fibrous dust, explored the concentrations of Der p 1 (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and Der f 1 (D. farinae) in 46 households in Changchun and their environmental influences, characterized the bacterial communities by high-throughput sequencing, and the interactions between Der p 1, Der f 1 and bacterial communities were explored. The results showed that Der p 1 and Der f 1 tended to accumulate more in flocculent fibrous dust, and Der p 1 predominated in the indoor dust samples. The floor height, years of housing occupancy and the living areas all affected the concentrations of dust mite allergens. In bacterial community, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were leading phyla in the two types of dust. Kocuria, Blastococcus and Massilia were dominating genera in particulate dust and Acinetobacter, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium_1 were dominating genera in flocculent fibrous dust. The overall diversity and species richness of bacteria in particulate dust were significantly higher than those in flocculent dust (p < 0.001). The living area was an important environmental factor affecting the bacterial community in flocculent fibrous dust (p < 0.01). The interaction between the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and dust mite allergen concentrations significantly differed between the two dust types, indicating that bacteria could be used both as food and to establish symbiotic relationships with household dust mites (HDMs) hosts and provide nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimeng Li
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Na Zheng
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China; Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
| | - Qirui An
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Xiaoqian Li
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Siyu Sun
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yining Ji
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Sujing Wang
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Pengyang Li
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
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Yang J, Hao Z, Zhang L, Fu Y, Liu H. Surface fungal diversity and several mycotoxin-related genes' expression profiles during the Lunar Palace 365 experiment. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:169. [PMID: 36224642 PMCID: PMC9555122 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01350-8] [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: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chinese Lunar Palace 1 (LP1) is a ground-based bio-regenerative life support system (BLSS) test bed integrating highly efficient plant cultivation, animal protein production, urine nitrogen recycling, and bioconversion of solid waste. To date, there has been no molecular method-based detailed investigation of the fungal community and mycotoxin potential in BLSS habitats. To ensure safe BLSS design for actual space missions, we analyzed the LP1 surface mycobiome and mycotoxin potential during the Lunar Palace 365 project through internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1) amplicon sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with primers specific for idh, ver1, nor1, tri5, and ITS1. RESULTS The LP1 system exhibited significant differences in fungal community diversity compared to other confined habitats, with higher fungal alpha diversity and different community structures. Significant differences existed in the surface fungal communities of the LP1 habitat due to the presence of different occupant groups. However, there was no significant difference between fungal communities in the plant cabin with various occupants. Source tracker analysis shows that most of the surface fungi in LP1 originated from plants. Regardless of differences in occupants or location, there were no significant differences in mycotoxin gene copy number. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that plants are the most crucial source of the surface fungal microbiome; however, occupant turnover can induce significant perturbations in the surface fungal community in a BLSS. Growing plants reduced fungal fluctuations, maintaining a healthy balance in the surface fungal microbiome and mycotoxin potential. Moreover, our study provides data important to (i) future risk considerations in crewed space missions with long-term residency, (ii) an optimized design and planning of a space mission that incorporates crew shifts and plant growth, and (iii) the expansion of our knowledge of indoor fungal communities with plant growth, which is essential to maintain safe working and living environments. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlou Yang
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Zikai Hao
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Lantao Zhang
- China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, 100094 China
| | - Yuming Fu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
- International Joint Research Center of Aerospace Biotechnology & Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
- State Key Laboratory of Virtual Reality Technology and Systems, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
- International Joint Research Center of Aerospace Biotechnology & Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
- State Key Laboratory of Virtual Reality Technology and Systems, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083 China
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21
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Fu X, Ou Z, Sun Y. Indoor microbiome and allergic diseases: From theoretical advances to prevention strategies. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (ONLINE) 2022; 1:133-146. [PMID: 38075599 PMCID: PMC10702906 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of allergic diseases, such as asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and sick building syndrome (SBS), has increased drastically in the past few decades. Current medications can only relieve the symptoms but not cure these diseases whose development is suggested to be greatly impacted by the indoor microbiome. However, no study comprehensively summarizes the progress and general rules in the field, impeding subsequent translational application. To close knowledge gaps between theoretical research and practical application, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to summarize the epidemiological, environmental, and molecular evidence of indoor microbiome studies. Epidemiological evidence shows that the potential protective indoor microorganisms for asthma are mainly from the phyla Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, and the risk microorganisms are mainly from Bacilli, Clostridia, and Bacteroidia. Due to extremely high microbial diversity and geographic variation, different health-associated species/genera are detected in different regions. Compared with indoor microbial composition, indoor metabolites show more consistent associations with health, including microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), indole derivatives, and flavonoids. Therefore, indoor metabolites could be a better indicator than indoor microbial taxa for environmental assessments and health outcome prediction. The interaction between the indoor microbiome and environmental characteristics (surrounding greenness, relative humidity, building confinement, and CO2 concentration) and immunology effects of indoor microorganisms (inflammatory cytokines and pattern recognition receptors) are briefly reviewed to provide new insights for disease prevention and treatment. Widely used tools in indoor microbiome studies are introduced to facilitate standard practice and the precise identification of health-related targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Fu
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zheyuan Ou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
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22
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Morakinyo OM, Mokgobu MI. Indoor Household Exposures and Associated Morbidity and Mortality Outcomes in Children and Adults in South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159471. [PMID: 35954827 PMCID: PMC9367742 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Human exposure to indoor pollution is one of the most well-established ways that housing affects health. We conducted a review to document evidence on the morbidity and mortality outcomes associated with indoor household exposures in children and adults in South Africa. The authors conducted a scientific review of the publicly available literature up to April 2022 using different search engines (PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar) to identify the literature that assessed the link between indoor household exposures and morbidity and mortality outcomes in children and adults. A total of 16 studies with 16,920 participants were included. Bioaerosols, allergens, dampness, tobacco smoking, household cooking and heating fuels, particulate matter, gaseous pollutants and indoor spray residue play a significant role in different morbidity outcomes. These health outcomes include dental caries, asthma, tuberculosis, severe airway inflammation, airway blockage, wheeze, rhinitis, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, phlegm on the chest, current rhinoconjunctivitis, hay fever, poor early life immune function, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational hypertension, and increased incidence of nasopharyngeal bacteria, which may predispose people to lower respiratory tract infections. The findings of this research highlight the need for more initiatives, programs, strategies, and policies to better reduce the negative consequences of indoor household exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oyewale Mayowa Morakinyo
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria
- Correspondence:
| | - Matlou Ingrid Mokgobu
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
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23
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Development of an Indexed Score to Identify the Most Suitable Sampling Method to Assess Occupational Exposure to Fungi. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13071123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The sampling approach is of utmost importance to obtain data regarding microbial viability and truly assess workers’ potential health effects. The purpose of this assessment is to create a score which will provide up-to-date information to identify the most suitable sampling method to assess occupational exposure to fungi. Data from a sampling campaign performed at Firefighters Headquarters (FFH) was analysed and a score was calculated from one (1) to three (3) for five (5) distinct sample parameters: (a) accuracy; (b) complexity of the field work; (c) cost; (d) complexity in laboratory work; and (e) time taken since the fieldwork until obtaining the fungal contamination characterization. The statistical analysis allowed us to conclude that settled dust and Andersen six-stage were the best sampling methods to perform the assessment of the occupational exposure to fungi at FFH, when considering the number of species. As for the final score, the results showed that surface swabs were the best sampling method. The results obtained for surface swabs highlights the low complexity of this processing combined with the fact that it is a low-cost sampling method. This study reinforces the need to use a wide array of sampling methods when assessing occupational exposure to fungal contamination to ensure an accurate risk characterization.
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24
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Li X, Liu D, Yao J. Aerosolization of fungal spores in indoor environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 820:153003. [PMID: 35031366 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Fungi in indoor environments can cause adverse health effects through inhalation and epidermal exposure. The risk of fungal exposure originates from the aerosolization of fungal spores. However, spore aerosolization is still not well understood. This paper provides a review of indoor fungal contamination, especially the aerosolization of fungal spores. We attempted to summarize what is known today and to identify what more information is needed to predict the aerosolization of fungal spores. This paper first reviews fungal contamination in indoor environments and HVAC systems. The detachment of fungal spores from colonies and the spore aerosolization principle are then summarized. Based on the above discussion, prediction methods for spore aerosolization are discussed. This review further clarifies the current situation and future efforts required to accurately predict spore aerosolization. This information is useful for forecasting and controlling the aerosolization of fungal spores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Li
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China.
| | - Dan Liu
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China
| | - Jian Yao
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China
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25
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Beasley DE, Monsur M, Hu J, Dunn RR, Madden AA. The bacterial community of childcare centers: potential implications for microbial dispersal and child exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2022; 17:8. [PMID: 35246271 PMCID: PMC8895594 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-022-00404-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial communities within built environments reflect differences in sources of bacteria, building design, and environmental contexts. These communities impact the health of their occupants in many ways. Children interact with the built environment differently than do adults as a result of their unique behaviors, size, and developmental status. Consequently, understanding the broader bacterial community to which children are exposed will help inform public health efforts and contribute to our growing understanding of the bacterial community associated with childcare centers. METHODS We sampled childcare centers to survey the variation in bacterial community composition across five surfaces found inside and outside twelve classrooms and six centers using 16S rRNA marker gene amplicon sequencing. We then correlated these bacterial community analyses of surfaces with environmental and demographic measures of illumination and classroom occupant density. RESULTS The childcare environment was dominated by human-associated bacteria with modest input from outdoor sources. Though the bacterial communities of individual childcare centers differed, there was a greater difference in the bacterial community within a classroom than among centers. Surface habitats-fomites-within the classroom, did not differ in community composition despite differing proximity to likely sources of bacteria, and possible environmental filters, such as light. Bacterial communities did correlate with occupant density and differed significantly between high and low usage surfaces. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest built environments inhabited by young children are similar to functionally equivalent built environments inhabited by adults, despite the different way young children engage with their environment. Ultimately, these results will be useful when further interrogating microbial dispersal and human exposure to microorganisms in built environments that specifically cater to young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Beasley
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
- Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, 37403, USA.
| | - M Monsur
- College of Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - J Hu
- College of Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - R R Dunn
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - A A Madden
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
- The Microbe Institute, Everett, MA, 02149, USA
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26
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Cox J, Stone T, Ryan P, Burkle J, Jandarov R, Mendell MJ, Niemeier-Walsh C, Reponen T. Residential bacteria and fungi identified by high-throughput sequencing and childhood respiratory health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112377. [PMID: 34800538 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine and compare environmental microbiota from dust and children's respiratory health outcomes at ages seven and twelve. At age seven, in-home visits were conducted for children enrolled in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS). Floor dust was collected and analyzed for bacterial (16 S rRNA gene) and fungal (internal transcribed spacer region) microbiota. Respiratory outcomes, including physician-diagnosed asthma, wheeze, rhinitis, and aeroallergen sensitivity were assessed by physical examination and caregiver-report at ages seven and twelve. The associations between dust microbiota and respiratory outcomes were evaluated using Permanova, DESeq, and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models. Four types of WQS regression models were run to identify mixtures of fungi or bacteria that were associated with the absence or presence of health outcomes. For alpha or beta diversity of fungi and bacteria, no significant associations were found with respiratory health outcomes. DESeq identified specific bacterial and fungal indicator taxa that were higher or lower with the presence of different health outcomes. Most individual indicator fungal species were lower with asthma and wheeze and higher with aeroallergen positivity and rhinitis, whereas bacterial data was less consistent. WQS regression models demonstrated that a combination of species might influence health outcomes. Several heavily weighted species had a strong influence on the models, and therefore, created a microbial community that was associated with the absence or presence of asthma, wheeze, rhinitis, and aeroallergen+. Weights for specific species within WQS regression models supported indicator taxa findings. Health outcomes might be more influenced by the composition of a complex mixture of bacterial and fungal species in the indoor environment than by the absence or presence of individual species. This study demonstrates that WQS is a useful tool in evaluating mixtures in relation to potential health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie Cox
- Department of Environment and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Timothy Stone
- Department of Environment and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Patrick Ryan
- Department of Environment and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jeff Burkle
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Roman Jandarov
- Department of Environment and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Christine Niemeier-Walsh
- Department of Environment and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tiina Reponen
- Department of Environment and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Chong-Neto HJ, D'amato G, Rosário Filho NA. Impact of the environment on the microbiome. J Pediatr (Rio J) 2022; 98 Suppl 1:S32-S37. [PMID: 34742719 PMCID: PMC9510925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This review aimed to verify indoor and outdoor pollution, host and environmental microbiome, and the impact on the health of the pediatric population. SOURCES A review of the literature, non-systematic, with the search for articles since 2001 in PubMed with the terms "pollution" AND "microbiome" AND "children's health" AND "COVID-19". SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS Prevention of allergic diseases includes the following aspects: avoid cesarean delivery, the unnecessary overuse of antibiotics, air pollution, smoking in pregnancy and second-hand tobacco smoke, stimulate breastfeeding, soil connection, consume fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise and outdoor activities and animal contact. The children's microbiota richness and diversity decrease the risk of immune disbalance and allergic disease development. CONCLUSIONS Lifestyle and exposure to pollutants, both biological and non-biological, modify the host and the environment microbiome provoking an immune disbalance with inflammatory consequences and development of allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gennaro D'amato
- Federico II University, School of Specialization in Respiratory Diseases, High Specialty Hospital A. Cardarelli, Division of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Naples, NA, Italy
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28
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Abstract
Many children spend considerable time in daycare centers and may be influenced by the indoor microorganisms there, including fungi. In this study, we investigate the indoor mycobiomes of 125 daycare centers distributed along strong environmental gradients throughout Norway. Dust samples were collected from doorframes outside and inside buildings using a community science sampling approach. Fungal communities in the dust samples were analyzed using DNA metabarcoding of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region. We observed a marked difference between the outdoor and indoor mycobiomes. The indoor mycobiomes included considerably more yeasts and molds than the outdoor samples, with Saccharomyces, Mucor, Malassezia, and Penicillium being among the most dominant fungal genera. Changes in the indoor fungal richness and composition correlated with numerous variables related to both outdoor and indoor conditions; there was a clear geographic structure in the indoor mycobiome composition that mirrored the outdoor climate, ranging from humid areas in western Norway to drier and colder areas in eastern Norway. Moreover, the number of children in the daycare centers, as well as various building features, influenced the indoor mycobiome composition. We conclude that the indoor mycobiomes in Norwegian daycare centers are structured by multiple factors and are dominated by yeasts and molds. This study exemplifies how community science sampling enables DNA-based analyses of a high number of samples covering wide geographic areas. IMPORTANCE With an alarming increase in chronic diseases like childhood asthma and allergies, there is an increased focus on the exposure of young children to indoor biological and chemical air pollutants. Our study of 125 daycares throughout Norway demonstrates that the indoor mycobiome not only reflects cooccurring outdoor fungi but also includes a high abundance of yeast and mold fungi with an affinity for indoor environments. A multitude of factors influence the indoor mycobiomes in daycares, including the building type, inhabitants, as well as the outdoor environment. Many of the detected yeasts and molds are likely associated with the human body, where some have been coupled with allergies and respiratory problems. Our results call for further studies investigating the potential impact of the identified daycare-associated mycobiomes on children’s health.
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29
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Baldelli G, Aliano MP, Amagliani G, Magnani M, Brandi G, Pennino C, Schiavano GF. Airborne Microorganism Inactivation by a UV-C LED and Ionizer-Based Continuous Sanitation Air (CSA) System in Train Environments. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031559. [PMID: 35162585 PMCID: PMC8835313 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Improving indoor air quality present in environments where people live is important to protect human health. This particularly applies to public transportation, where air quality may affect the health and safety of passengers, workers and staff. To provide better air quality, many buildings and transports are provided with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which are always equipped with filters to retain the particulate present in the airflow, but they lack continuous air sanitization systems. In this study, a new UV-C LED and ionizer-based continuous sanitation air (CSA) system to be installed in a train HVAC was developed (international patent: N.PCT/IB2021/054194) and its sanitation efficacy against various microbial species (bacteria and fungi) was assessed. The device proved to be very effective at the microbial killing of aerodispersed microorganisms, both in its experimental configuration (ISO 15714:2019) and in a train setting. The installation of this CSA system on public transportation appears to be a promising solution to guarantee high microbiological air quality with a very low environmental impact due to its eco-friendly components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Baldelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (G.B.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (G.B.)
| | | | - Giulia Amagliani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (G.B.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (G.B.)
| | - Mauro Magnani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (G.B.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (G.B.)
| | - Giorgio Brandi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (G.B.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (G.B.)
| | | | - Giuditta Fiorella Schiavano
- Department of Humanities, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0722-303546
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30
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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.
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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.
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Abebe Y, Ali A, Kumie A, Haile T, Tamire M, Addissie A. Determinants of asthma in Ethiopia: age and sex matched case control study with special reference to household fuel exposure and housing characteristics. Asthma Res Pract 2021; 7:14. [PMID: 34823608 PMCID: PMC8613982 DOI: 10.1186/s40733-021-00080-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by airway obstruction and hyper-responsiveness. Studies suggest that household fuel exposure and housing characteristics are associated with air way related allergy. But there remains to be a considerable uncertainty about whether that reflects an association with asthma. This study endeavored to bridge the gap by identifying factors associated with asthma, with special reference to household fuel exposure and housing characteristics in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS We conducted a hospital-based matched case-control study. A total of 483 study participants were selected from two Ethiopian referral hospitals using a sequential sampling technique, with 161 cases and 322 controls. Standard questionnaire from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II (ECRHS II) and the American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Disease (ATS-DLD-78) were used to collect household related data. Conditional logistic regression model was applied to identify the determinants of asthma. Both crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to identify predictors of asthma. RESULTS The response rate for both cases and controls was 99.17%. The odds of developing asthma was about four times higher among those who used agricultural residues for cooking (AOR: 3.81, 95% CI: 1.05, 13.79)., about five times higher among those who used wood for cooking (AOR: 4.95, 95% CI: 2.1, 11.69), nearly five times higher among those who had family history of asthma (AOR: 4.72, 95% CI: 1.54, 14.45), just over six times higher among those who smoke tobacco (AOR: 6.16, 95% CI: 1.31, 29.09) and over ten times higher among those who do not practice door opening, while cooking (AOR: 10.25, 95% CI: 3.97, 26.49). CONCLUSION Family history of asthma, tobacco smoking, use of solid fuels including, woods and agricultural residues were associated with development of asthma. To reduce the risk of asthma, people should practice door opening, while cooking, and must avoid using wood and agricultural residues for cooking and should also refrain from tobacco smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonas Abebe
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Ahmed Ali
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abera Kumie
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tewodros Haile
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Mulugeta Tamire
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Adamu Addissie
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Haines SR, Hall EC, Marciniak K, Misztal PK, Goldstein AH, Adams RI, Dannemiller KC. Microbial growth and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from carpet and drywall under elevated relative humidity conditions. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:209. [PMID: 34666813 PMCID: PMC8524935 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01158-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbes can grow in indoor environments if moisture is available, and we need an improved understanding of how this growth contributes to emissions of microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). The goal of this study was to measure how moisture levels, building material type, collection site, and microbial species composition impact microbial growth and emissions of mVOCs. We subjected two common building materials, drywall, and carpet, to treatments with varying moisture availability and measured microbial communities and mVOC emissions. RESULTS Fungal growth occurred in samples at >75% equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) for carpet with dust and >85% ERH for inoculated painted drywall. In addition to incubated relative humidity level, dust sample collection site (adonis p=0.001) and material type (drywall, carpet, adonis p=0.001) drove fungal and bacterial species composition. Increased relative humidity was associated with decreased microbial species diversity in samples of carpet with dust (adonis p= 0.005). Abundant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that accounted for >1% emissions were likely released from building materials and the dust itself. However, certain mVOCs were associated with microbial growth from carpet with dust such as C10H16H+ (monoterpenes) and C2H6SH+ (dimethyl sulfide and ethanethiol). CO2 production from samples of carpet with dust at 95% ERH averaged 5.92 mg hr-1 kg-1, while the average for carpet without dust at 95% ERH was 2.55 mg hr-1 kg-1. CONCLUSION Microbial growth and mVOC emissions occur at lower relative humidity in carpet and floor dust compared to drywall, which has important implications for human exposure. Even under elevated relative humidity conditions, the VOC emissions profile is dominated by non-microbial VOCs, although potential mVOCs may dominate odor production. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Haines
- Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A4 Canada
| | - Emma C. Hall
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 USA
| | | | - Pawel K. Misztal
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 USA
| | - Allen H. Goldstein
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Rachel I. Adams
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Karen C. Dannemiller
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
- Sustainability Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Geodetic Engineering, Environmental Health Sciences, Ohio State University, 470 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
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Zíková N, Ziembik Z, Olszowski T, Bożym M, Nabrdalik M, Rybak J. Elemental and microbiota content in indoor and outdoor air using recuperation unit filters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 789:147903. [PMID: 34052480 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147903] [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: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a twelve-month measurement campaign conducted at a rural single-family house in Poland. The external and internal filters of a recuperator used to mechanically ventilate the building were used to separate the total suspended particles (TSPs), and the concentrations of fifteen elements and abundance of fungi and bacteria were determined. Lower annual mean concentrations were observed indoors, and the concentrations of most elements did not significantly change between seasons. There were some differences between winter and summer, which may have resulted from changes in the ventilation regimes in the house. The number of bacteria was similar outdoors and indoors, while the amounts of fungi were higher indoors (p < 0.05). The order of metal concentrations outdoors agreed well with observations in other countries, while indoors the metal concentrations order indicated the individual characteristics of the building. The species diversity of fungi was higher than that of bacteria, and different species were found indoors and outdoors, while bacteria were typically present both indoors and outdoors. Different TSP sources were identified indoors and outdoors, suggesting limited penetration between the two environments. However, both environments were affected by traffic. Mechanical ventilation systems with built-in filters (such as recuperators) were useful in assessing the air quality within the building, and the changeable recuperation filters offer an approach to assess the air quality in several houses without any additional cost or discomfort to the residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naděžda Zíková
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 1/135, 165 02 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Zbigniew Ziembik
- University of Opole, Institute of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, 6a Kominka Str., 45-032 Opole, Poland
| | - Tomasz Olszowski
- Department of Thermal Engineering and Industrial Facilities, Opole University of Technology, 45-271 Opole, Poland
| | - Marta Bożym
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Environmental Protection, Opole University of Technology, 5 Mikołajczyka Str., 45-271 Opole, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Nabrdalik
- University of Opole, Institute of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, 6a Kominka Str., 45-032 Opole, Poland
| | - Justyna Rybak
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
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Mills S, Ross RP. Colliding and interacting microbiomes and microbial communities - consequences for human health. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:7341-7354. [PMID: 34390616 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Living 'things' coexist with microorganisms, known as the microbiota/microbiome that provides essential physiological functions to its host. Despite this reliance, the microbiome is malleable and can be altered by several factors including birth-mode, age, antibiotics, nutrition, and disease. In this minireview, we consider how other microbiomes and microbial communities impact the host microbiome and the host through the concept of microbiome collisions (initial exposures) and interactions. Interactions include changes in host microbiome composition and functionality and/or host responses. Understanding the impact of other microbiomes and microbial communities on the microbiome and host are important considering the decline in human microbiota diversity in the developed world - paralleled by the surge of non-communicable, inflammatory-based diseases. Thus, surrounding ourselves with rich and diverse beneficial microbiomes and microbial communities to collide and interact with should help to diminish the loss in microbial diversity and protect from certain diseases. In the same vein, our microbiomes not only influence our health but potentially the health of those close to us. We also consider strategies for enhanced host microbiome collisions and interactions through the surrounding environment that ensure increased microbiome diversity and functionality contributing to enhanced symbiotic return to the host in terms of health benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Mills
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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35
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Klassert TE, Leistner R, Zubiria-Barrera C, Stock M, López M, Neubert R, Driesch D, Gastmeier P, Slevogt H. Bacterial colonization dynamics and antibiotic resistance gene dissemination in the hospital environment after first patient occupancy: a longitudinal metagenetic study. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:169. [PMID: 34380550 PMCID: PMC8359561 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01109-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans spend the bulk of their time in indoor environments. This space is shared with an indoor ecosystem of microorganisms, which are in continuous exchange with the human inhabitants. In the particular case of hospitals, the environmental microorganisms may influence patient recovery and outcome. An understanding of the bacterial community structure in the hospital environment is pivotal for the prevention of hospital-acquired infections and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. In this study, we performed a longitudinal metagenetic approach in a newly opened ward at the Charité Hospital (Berlin) to characterize the dynamics of the bacterial colonization process in the hospital environment after first patient occupancy. RESULTS The sequencing data showed a site-specific taxonomic succession, which led to stable community structures after only a few weeks. This data was further supported by network analysis and beta-diversity metrics. Furthermore, the fast colonization process was characterized by a significant increase of the bacterial biomass and its alpha-diversity. The compositional dynamics could be linked to the exchange with the patient microbiota. Over a time course of 30 weeks, we did not detect a rise of pathogenic bacteria in the hospital environment, but a significant increase of antibiotic resistance determinants on the hospital floor. CONCLUSIONS The results presented in this study provide new insights into different aspects of the environmental microbiome in the clinical setting, and will help to adopt infection control strategies in hospitals and health care-related buildings. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilman E Klassert
- Jena University Hospital, ZIK Septomics, Host Septomics, Jena, Germany.
| | - Rasmus Leistner
- Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine and Department for Medicine (Gastroenterology, Infectious diseases, Rheumatology), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Magdalena Stock
- Jena University Hospital, ZIK Septomics, Host Septomics, Jena, Germany
| | - Mercedes López
- University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Robert Neubert
- Jena University Hospital, ZIK Septomics, Host Septomics, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Petra Gastmeier
- Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hortense Slevogt
- Jena University Hospital, ZIK Septomics, Host Septomics, Jena, Germany
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36
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Gabriel MF, Felgueiras F, Batista R, Ribeiro C, Ramos E, Mourão Z, de Oliveira Fernandes E. Indoor environmental quality in households of families with infant twins under 1 year of age living in Porto. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 198:110477. [PMID: 33197420 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to air pollution in early years can exacerbate the risk of noncommunicable diseases throughout childhood and the entire life course. This study aimed to assess temperature, relative humidity (RH), carbon dioxide (CO2) and monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), ultrafine particles, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOC) levels in the two rooms where infant twins spend more time at home (30 dwellings, Northern Portugal). Findings showed that, in general, the worst indoor environmental quality (IEQ) settings were found in bedrooms. In fact, although most of the bedrooms surveyed presented adequate comfort conditions in terms of temperature and RH, several children are sleeping in a bedroom with improper ventilation and/or with a significant degree of air pollution. In particular, mean concentrations higher than recommended limits were found for CO2, PM2.5, PM10 and total VOC. Additionally, terpenes and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane were identified as main components of emissions from indoor sources. Overall, findings revealed that factors related to behaviors of the occupants, namely related to a conscientious use of cleaning products, tobacco and other consumer products (air-fresheners, incenses/candles and insecticides) and promotion of ventilation are essential for the improvement of air quality in households and for the promotion of children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Fonseca Gabriel
- INEGI, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Campus da FEUP, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Fátima Felgueiras
- INEGI, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Campus da FEUP, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raúl Batista
- INEGI, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Campus da FEUP, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Ribeiro
- EPIUnit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Rua Das Taipas 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Ramos
- EPIUnit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Rua Das Taipas 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Zenaida Mourão
- INEGI, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Campus da FEUP, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
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Martin-Sanchez PM, Estensmo ELF, Morgado LN, Maurice S, Engh IB, Skrede I, Kauserud H. Analysing indoor mycobiomes through a large-scale citizen science study in Norway. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:2689-2705. [PMID: 33830574 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In the built environment, fungi can cause important deterioration of building materials and have adverse health effects on occupants. Increased knowledge about indoor mycobiomes from different regions of the world, and their main environmental determinants, will enable improved indoor air quality management and identification of health risks. This is the first citizen science study of indoor mycobiomes at a large geographical scale in Europe, including 271 houses from Norway and 807 dust samples from three house compartments: outside of the building, living room and bathroom. The fungal community composition determined by DNA metabarcoding was clearly different between indoor and outdoor samples, but there were no significant differences between the two indoor compartments. The 32 selected variables, related to the outdoor environment, building features and occupant characteristics, accounted for 15% of the overall variation in community composition, with the house compartment as the key factor (7.6%). Next, climate was the main driver of the dust mycobiomes (4.2%), while building and occupant variables had significant but minor influences (1.4% and 1.1%, respectively). The house-dust mycobiomes were dominated by ascomycetes (⁓70%) with Capnodiales and Eurotiales as the most abundant orders. Compared to the outdoor samples, the indoor mycobiomes showed higher species richness, which is probably due to the mixture of fungi from outdoor and indoor sources. The main indoor indicator fungi belonged to two ecological groups with allergenic potential: xerophilic moulds and skin-associated yeasts. Our results suggest that citizen science is a successful approach for unravelling the built microbiome at large geographical scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Martin-Sanchez
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eva-Lena F Estensmo
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Luis N Morgado
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sundy Maurice
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Inger Skrede
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Håvard Kauserud
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Hyytiäinen H, Kirjavainen PV, Täubel M, Tuoresmäki P, Casas L, Heinrich J, Herberth G, Standl M, Renz H, Piippo-Savolainen E, Hyvärinen A, Pekkanen J, Karvonen AM. Microbial diversity in homes and the risk of allergic rhinitis and inhalant atopy in two European birth cohorts. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110835. [PMID: 33582132 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbial exposures in early childhood direct the development of the immune system and their diversity may influence the risk of allergy development. We aimed to determine whether the indoor microbial diversity at early-life is associated with the development of allergic rhinitis and inhalant atopy. METHODS The study population included children within two birth cohorts: Finnish rural-suburban LUKAS (N = 312), and German urban LISA from Munich and Leipzig study centers (N = 248). The indoor microbiota diversity (Chao1 richness and Shannon entropy) was characterized from floor dust samples collected at the child age of 2-3 months by Illumina MiSeq sequencing of bacterial and fungal DNA amplicons. Allergic rhinitis and inhalant atopy were determined at the age of 10 years and analyzed using logistic regression models. RESULTS High bacterial richness (aOR 0.19, 95%CI 0.09-0.42 for middle and aOR 0.12, 95%CI 0.05-0.29 for highest vs. lowest tertile) and Shannon entropy were associated with lower risk of allergic rhinitis in LISA, and similar trend was seen in LUKAS. We observed some significant associations between bacterial and fungal diversity measured and the risk of inhalant atopy, but the associations were inconsistent between the two cohorts. High bacterial diversity tended to be associated with increased risk of inhalant atopy in rural areas, but lower risk in more urban areas. Fungal diversity tended to be associated with increased risk of inhalant atopy only in LISA. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that a higher bacterial diversity may reduce the risk of allergic rhinitis later in childhood. The environment-dependent heterogeneity in the associations with inhalant atopy - visible here as inconsistent results between two differing cohorts - suggests that specific constituents of the diversity may be relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Hyytiäinen
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pirkka V Kirjavainen
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland; Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Martin Täubel
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pauli Tuoresmäki
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Lidia Casas
- Centre for Environment and Health - Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joachim Heinrich
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Munich, Ludwig Maximillians University Munich, Member of German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Gunda Herberth
- Department of Environmental Immunology/Core Facility Studies, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research- UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marie Standl
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Harald Renz
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany; Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Germany
| | - Eija Piippo-Savolainen
- Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio; Finland
| | - Anne Hyvärinen
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha Pekkanen
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne M Karvonen
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland.
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Pan Y, Ren Q, Chen P, Wu J, Wu Z, Zhang G. Insight Into Microbial Community Aerosols Associated With Electronic Waste Handling Facilities by Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Methods. Front Public Health 2021; 9:657784. [PMID: 33889561 PMCID: PMC8055949 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.657784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Airborne microorganisms in the waste associated environments are more active and complex compared to other places. However, the diversity and structure of airborne bacteria in waste-associated environments are still not clearly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess airborne bacterial community in electronic waste dismantling site and a waste transfer station based on culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. A total of 229 isolates were obtained from four airborne sites collected from residential area, electronic industrial park, and office area in or near an electronic waste dismantling site and a waste transfer station in Southern China in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Most of the isolates were isolated from air for the first time and 14 potentially novel species were identified by Sanger sequencing. Bacterial communities in waste-associated bioaerosols were predominated by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Abundant genera (>1%) included Paracaedibacteraceae (uncultured EF667926), Ralstonia, Chroococcidiopsis, Chitinophagaceae (uncultured FN428761), Sphingobium, and Heliimonas. One-third of the species in these genera were uncultured approximately. Differences community structure existed in airborne bacterial diversity among different sampling sites. These results showed that waste-associated environments have unique bacterial diversity. Further studies on such environments could provide new insights into bacterial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiguo Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhendong Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoxia Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangzhou, China
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40
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Associations between dog keeping and indoor dust microbiota. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5341. [PMID: 33674692 PMCID: PMC7935950 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84790-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Living with dogs appears to protect against allergic diseases and airway infections, an effect possibly linked with immunomodulation by microbial exposures associated with dogs. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of dog ownership on house dust microbiota composition. The bacterial and fungal microbiota was characterized with Illumina MiSeq sequencing from floor dust samples collected from homes in a Finnish rural-suburban (LUKAS2, N = 182) birth cohort, and the results were replicated in a German urban (LISA, N = 284) birth cohort. Human associated bacteria variable was created by summing up the relative abundances of five bacterial taxa. Bacterial richness, Shannon index and the relative abundances of seven bacterial genera, mostly within the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, were significantly higher in the dog than in the non-dog homes, whereas the relative abundance of human associated bacteria was lower. The results were largely replicated in LISA. Fungal microbiota richness and abundance of Leucosporidiella genus were higher in dog homes in LUKAS2 and the latter association replicated in LISA. Our study confirms that dog ownership is reproducibly associated with increased bacterial richness and diversity in house dust and identifies specific dog ownership-associated genera. Dogs appeared to have more limited influence on the fungal than bacterial indoor microbiota.
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Cox J, Stone T, Ryan P, Burkle J, Jandarov R, Mendell MJ, Adams RI, Niemeier-Walsh C, Reponen T. Associations of observed home dampness and mold with the fungal and bacterial dust microbiomes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:491-500. [PMID: 33647083 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00505c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this analysis was to examine and compare quantitative metrics of observed dampness and mold, including visible mold and moisture damage, and fungal and bacterial microbiomes. In-home visits were conducted at age 7 for children enrolled in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study. Trained study staff evaluated the primary residence and measured total areas of visible moisture and mold damage in the home. Floor dust was collected and archived. Archived dust samples collected from each home (n = 178) were extracted and analyzed using bacterial (16S rRNA gene) and fungal (internal transcribed spacer region) sequencing. Fungi were also divided into moisture requirement categories of xerophiles, mesophiles, and hydrophiles. Data analyses used Spearman's correlation, Kruskal-Wallis, Permanova, DESeq, and negative binomial regression models. Comparing high moisture or mold damage to no damage, five fungal species and two bacterial species had higher concentrations (absolute abundance) and six fungal species and three bacterial species had lower concentrations. Hydrophilic and mesophilic fungi showed significant dose-related increases with increasing moisture damage and mold damage, respectively. When comparing alpha or beta diversity of fungi and bacteria across mold and moisture damage levels, no significant associations or differences were found. Mold and moisture damage did not affect diversity of fungal and bacterial microbiomes. Instead, both kinds of damage were associated with changes in species composition of both bacterial and fungal microbiomes, indicating that fungal and bacterial communities in the home might be influenced by one another as well as by mold or moisture in the home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie Cox
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Fu X, Li Y, Meng Y, Yuan Q, Zhang Z, Wen H, Deng Y, Norbäck D, Hu Q, Zhang X, Sun Y. Derived habitats of indoor microbes are associated with asthma symptoms in Chinese university dormitories. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 194:110501. [PMID: 33221308 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence from the home environment indicates that indoor microbiome exposure is associated with asthma development. However, indoor microbiome composition can be highly diverse and dynamic, and thus current studies fail to produce consistent results. Chinese university dormitories are special high-density dwellings with similar building and occupants characteristics, which facilitate to disentangle the complex interactions between microbes, environmental characteristics and asthma. Settled air dust and floor dust was collected from 87 dormitory rooms in Shanxi University. Bacterial communities were characterized by 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Students (n = 357) were surveyed for asthma symptoms and measured for fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Asthma was not associated with the overall bacterial richness but associated with specific phylogenetic classes. Taxa richness and abundance in Clostridia, including Ruminococcus, Blautia, Clostridium and Subdoligranulum, were positively associated with asthma (p < 0.05), and these taxa were mainly derived from the human gut. Taxa richness in Alphaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria were marginally protectively associated with asthma, and these taxa were mainly derived from the outdoor environment. Bacterial richness and abundance were not associated with FeNO levels. Building age was associated with overall bacterial community variation in air and floor dust (p < 0.05), but not associated with the asthma-related microorganisms. Our data shows that taxa from different phylogenetic classes and derived habitats have different health effects, indicating the importance of incorporating phylogenetic and ecological concepts in revealing patterns in the microbiome asthma association analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Fu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China
| | - Yanling Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Yi Meng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Qianqian Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Zefei Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, PR China
| | - Huarong Wen
- Baling Health Center, Dangyang, Hubei, 444100, PR China
| | - Yiqun Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Dan Norbäck
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dept. of Medical Science, University Hospital, Uppsala University, 75237, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Qiansheng Hu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, PR China.
| | - Yu Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, PR China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China.
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Wu T, Fu M, Valkonen M, Täubel M, Xu Y, Boor BE. Particle Resuspension Dynamics in the Infant Near-Floor Microenvironment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:1864-1875. [PMID: 33450149 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Carpet dust contains microbial and chemical material that can impact early childhood health. Infants may be exposed to greater quantities of resuspended dust, given their close proximity to floor surfaces. Chamber experiments with a robotic infant were integrated with a material balance model to provide new fundamental insights into the size-dependency of infant crawling-induced particle resuspension and exposure. The robotic infant was exposed to resuspended particle concentrations from 105 to 106 m-3 in the near-floor (NF) microzone during crawling, with concentrations generally decreasing following vacuum cleaning of the carpets. A pronounced vertical variation in particle concentrations was observed between the NF microzone and bulk air. Resuspension fractions for crawling are similar to those for adult walking, with values ranging from 10-6 to 10-1 and increasing with particle size. Meaningful amounts of dust are resuspended during crawling, with emission rates of 0.1 to 2 × 104 μg h-1. Size-resolved inhalation intake fractions ranged from 5 to 8 × 103 inhaled particles per million resuspended particles, demonstrating that a significant fraction of resuspended particles can be inhaled. A new exposure metric, the dust-to-breathing zone transport efficiency, was introduced to characterize the overall probability of a settled particle being resuspended and delivered to the respiratory airways. Values ranged from less than 0.1 to over 200 inhaled particles per million settled particles, increased with particle size, and varied by over 2 orders of magnitude among 12 carpet types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianren Wu
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, Center for High Performance Buildings, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Manjie Fu
- Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, Center for High Performance Buildings, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Maria Valkonen
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio 70701, Finland
| | - Martin Täubel
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio 70701, Finland
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Brandon E Boor
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, Center for High Performance Buildings, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Park JH, Lemons AR, Roseman J, Green BJ, Cox-Ganser JM. Bacterial community assemblages in classroom floor dust of 50 public schools in a large city: characterization using 16S rRNA sequences and associations with environmental factors. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:15. [PMID: 33472703 PMCID: PMC7819239 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00954-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing indoor microbial communities using molecular methods provides insight into bacterial assemblages present in environments that can influence occupants' health. We conducted an environmental assessment as part of an epidemiologic study of 50 elementary schools in a large city in the northeastern USA. We vacuumed dust from the edges of the floor in 500 classrooms accounting for 499 processed dust aliquots for 16S Illumina MiSeq sequencing to characterize bacterial assemblages. DNA sequences were organized into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and identified using a database derived from the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Bacterial diversity and ecological analyses were performed at the genus level. We identified 29 phyla, 57 classes, 148 orders, 320 families, 1193 genera, and 2045 species in 3073 OTUs. The number of genera per school ranged from 470 to 705. The phylum Proteobacteria was richest of all while Firmicutes was most abundant. The most abundant order included Lactobacillales, Spirulinales, and Clostridiales. Halospirulina was the most abundant genus, which has never been reported from any school studies before. Gram-negative bacteria were more abundant and richer (relative abundance = 0.53; 1632 OTUs) than gram-positive bacteria (0.47; 1441). Outdoor environment-associated genera were identified in greater abundance in the classrooms, in contrast to homes where human-associated bacteria are typically more abundant. Effects of school location, degree of water damage, building condition, number of students, air temperature and humidity, floor material, and classroom's floor level on the bacterial richness or community composition were statistically significant but subtle, indicating relative stability of classroom microbiome from environmental stress. Our study indicates that classroom floor dust had a characteristic bacterial community that is different from typical house dust represented by more gram-positive and human-associated bacteria. Health implications of exposure to the microbiomes in classroom floor dust may be different from those in homes for school staff and students. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyeong Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Angela R Lemons
- Health Effect Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jerry Roseman
- Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health & Welfare Fund & Union, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brett J Green
- Health Effect Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jean M Cox-Ganser
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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van Tilburg Bernardes E, Gutierrez MW, Arrieta MC. The Fungal Microbiome and Asthma. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:583418. [PMID: 33324573 PMCID: PMC7726317 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.583418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a group of inflammatory conditions that compromises the airways of a continuously increasing number of people around the globe. Its complex etiology comprises both genetic and environmental aspects, with the intestinal and lung microbiomes emerging as newly implicated factors that can drive and aggravate asthma. Longitudinal infant cohort studies combined with mechanistic studies in animal models have identified microbial signatures causally associated with subsequent asthma risk. The recent inclusion of fungi in human microbiome surveys has revealed that microbiome signatures associated with asthma risk are not limited to bacteria, and that fungi are also implicated in asthma development in susceptible individuals. In this review, we examine the unique properties of human-associated and environmental fungi, which confer them the ability to influence immune development and allergic responses. The important contribution of fungi to asthma development and exacerbations prompts for their inclusion in current and future asthma studies in humans and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik van Tilburg Bernardes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mackenzie W Gutierrez
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Marie-Claire Arrieta
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Kakumanu ML, DeVries ZC, Barbarin AM, Santangelo RG, Schal C. Bed bugs shape the indoor microbial community composition of infested homes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 743:140704. [PMID: 32927527 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Indoor pests, and the allergens they produce, adversely affect human health. Surprisingly, however, their effects on indoor microbial communities have not been assessed. Bed bug (Cimex lectularius) infestations pose severe challenges in elderly and low-income housing. They void large amounts of liquid feces into the home environment, which might alter the indoor microbial community composition. In this study, using bed bug-infested and uninfested homes, we showed a strong impact of bed bug infestations on the indoor microbial diversity. Floor dust samples were collected from uninfested and bed bug-infested homes and their microbiomes were analyzed before and after heat interventions that eliminated bed bugs. The microbial communities of bed bug-infested homes were radically different from those of uninfested homes, and the bed bug endosymbiont Wolbachia was the major driver of this difference. After bed bugs were eliminated, the microbial community gradually shifted toward the community composition of uninfested homes, strongly implicating bed bugs in shaping the dust-associated environmental microbiome. Further studies are needed to understand the viability of these microbial communities and the potential risks that bed bug-associated microbes and their metabolites pose to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhavi L Kakumanu
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.
| | - Zachary C DeVries
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States; Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Alexis M Barbarin
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States; Division of Public Health, Communicable Disease Branch, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Richard G Santangelo
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Coby Schal
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.
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Li S, Yang Z, Hu D, Cao L, He Q. Understanding building-occupant-microbiome interactions toward healthy built environments: A review. FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2020; 15:65. [PMID: 33145119 PMCID: PMC7596174 DOI: 10.1007/s11783-020-1357-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Built environments, occupants, and microbiomes constitute a system of ecosystems with extensive interactions that impact one another. Understanding the interactions between these systems is essential to develop strategies for effective management of the built environment and its inhabitants to enhance public health and well-being. Numerous studies have been conducted to characterize the microbiomes of the built environment. This review summarizes current progress in understanding the interactions between attributes of built environments and occupant behaviors that shape the structure and dynamics of indoor microbial communities. In addition, this review also discusses the challenges and future research needs in the field of microbiomes of the built environment that necessitate research beyond the basic characterization of microbiomes in order to gain an understanding of the causal mechanisms between the built environment, occupants, and microbiomes, which will provide a knowledge base for the development of transformative intervention strategies toward healthy built environments. The pressing need to control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor environments highlights the urgency and significance of understanding the complex interactions between the built environment, occupants, and microbiomes, which is the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
| | - Zhiyao Yang
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Da Hu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
| | - Liu Cao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
| | - Qiang He
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
- Institute for a Secure & Sustainable Environment, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
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Howard EJ, Vesper SJ, Guthrie BJ, Petty CR, Ramdin VA, Sheehan WJ, Gaffin JM, Permaul P, Lai PS, Bartnikas LM, Cunningham A, Hauptman M, Gold DR, Baxi SN, Phipatanakul W. Asthma Prevalence and Mold Levels in US Northeastern Schools. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2020; 9:1312-1318. [PMID: 33091637 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is among the most common chronic diseases of children in the United States (US). Mold exposures have been linked to asthma development and exacerbation. In homes, mold exposures have been quantified using the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI), and higher home ERMI values have been linked to occupant asthma. OBJECTIVE In this analysis of the School Inner-City Asthma Study (SICAS), we aimed to evaluate the ERMI's applicability to measuring mold in schools compared with homes and to examine the prevalence of asthma in relationship to students' demographics and the physical characteristics of school buildings. METHODS Northeastern US schools (n = 32) and homes (n = 33) were selected, and the 36 ERMI molds were quantified in a dust sample from each classroom (n = 114) or home. School building characteristics data were collected from SICAS. Asthma prevalence and student demographics data were obtained from government websites. Linear regression and mixed models were fit to assess the association of the current asthma prevalence and physical characteristics of the school, make-up of the student body, and the ERMI metric. RESULTS Levels of outdoor group 2 molds were significantly (P < .01) greater in schools compared with homes. The presence of air-conditioning in school buildings correlated significantly (P = .02) with lower asthma prevalence. CONCLUSION The prevalence of asthma in student bodies is associated with many factors in schools and homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evin J Howard
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Mass
| | - Stephen J Vesper
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Barbara J Guthrie
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Mass
| | - Carter R Petty
- Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Valeria A Ramdin
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Mass
| | - William J Sheehan
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Jonathan M Gaffin
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Perdita Permaul
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Peggy S Lai
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Lisa M Bartnikas
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Amparito Cunningham
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Marissa Hauptman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Region 1 New England Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, Boston, Mass
| | - Diane R Gold
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Mass
| | - Sachin N Baxi
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
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Congestri R, Savio S, Farrotti S, Amati A, Krasojevic K, Perini N, Costa F, Migliore L. Developing a microbial consortium for removing nutrients in dishwasher wastewater: towards a biofilter for its up-cycling. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2020; 82:1142-1154. [PMID: 33055404 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2020.325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbial consortia are effective biofilters to treat wastewaters, allowing for resource recovery and water remediation. To reuse and save water in the domestic cycle, we assembled a suspended biofilm, a 'biofilter' to treat dishwasher wastewater. Bacterial monocultures of both photo- and heterotrophs were assembled in an increasingly complex fashion to test their nutrient stripping capacity. This 'biofilter' is the core of an integrated system (Zero Mile System) devoted to reusing and upcycling of reconditioned wastewater, partly in subsequent dishwasher cycles and partly into a vertical garden for plant food cultivation. The biofilter was assembled based on a strain of the photosynthetic, filamentous cyanobacterium Trichormus variabilis, selected to produce an oxygen evolving scaffold, and three heterotrophic aerobic bacterial isolates coming from the dishwasher wastewater itself: Acinetobacter, Exiguobacterium and Pseudomonas spp. The consortium was constructed starting with 16 isolates tested one-to-one with T. variabilis and then selecting the heterotrophic microbes up to a final one-to-three consortium, which included two dominant and a rare component of the wastewater community. This consortium thrives in the wastewater much better than T. variabilis alone, efficiently stripping N and P in short time, a pivotal step for the reuse and saving of water in household appliances.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Congestri
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome 00133, Italy E-mail:
| | - S Savio
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome 00133, Italy E-mail:
| | - S Farrotti
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome 00133, Italy E-mail:
| | - A Amati
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome 00133, Italy E-mail: ; Department of Design, Polytechnic University of Milan, Via Durando 38/A, Milan 20158, Italy
| | - K Krasojevic
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome 00133, Italy E-mail: ; Department of Design, Polytechnic University of Milan, Via Durando 38/A, Milan 20158, Italy
| | - N Perini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome 00133, Italy E-mail:
| | - F Costa
- Department of Design, Polytechnic University of Milan, Via Durando 38/A, Milan 20158, Italy
| | - L Migliore
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome 00133, Italy E-mail:
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50
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Haines SR, Siegel JA, Dannemiller KC. Modeling microbial growth in carpet dust exposed to diurnal variations in relative humidity using the "Time-of-Wetness" framework. INDOOR AIR 2020; 30:978-992. [PMID: 32403157 PMCID: PMC7496831 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Resuspension of microbes in floor dust and subsequent inhalation by human occupants is an important source of human microbial exposure. Microbes in carpet dust grow at elevated levels of relative humidity, but rates of this growth are not well established, especially under changing conditions. The goal of this study was to model fungal growth in carpet dust based on indoor diurnal variations in relative humidity utilizing the time-of-wetness framework. A chamber study was conducted on carpet and dust collected from 19 homes in Ohio, USA and exposed to varying moisture conditions of 50%, 85%, and 100% relative humidity. Fungal growth followed the two activation regime model, while bacterial growth could not be evaluated using the framework. Collection site was a stronger driver of species composition (P = 0.001, R2 = 0.461) than moisture conditions (P = 0.001, R2 = 0.021). Maximum moisture condition was associated with species composition within some individual sites (P = 0.001-0.02, R2 = 0.1-0.33). Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Wallemia were common fungal genera found among samples at elevated moisture conditions. These findings can inform future studies of associations between dampness/mold in homes and health outcomes and allow for prediction of microbial growth in the indoor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Haines
- Environmental Science Graduate ProgramOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Geodetic EngineeringCollege of EngineeringOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Division of Environmental Health SciencesCollege of Public HealthOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Jeffrey A. Siegel
- Department of Civil and Mineral EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Karen C. Dannemiller
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Geodetic EngineeringCollege of EngineeringOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Division of Environmental Health SciencesCollege of Public HealthOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Sustainability InstituteOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
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