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Gilbert JA, Hartmann EM. The indoors microbiome and human health. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024:10.1038/s41579-024-01077-3. [PMID: 39030408 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01077-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Indoor environments serve as habitat for humans and are replete with various reservoirs and niches for microorganisms. Microorganisms enter indoor spaces with their human and non-human hosts, as well as via exchange with outdoor sources, such as ventilation and plumbing. Once inside, many microorganisms do not survive, especially on dry, barren surfaces. Even reduced, this microbial biomass has critical implications for the health of human occupants. As urbanization escalates, exploring the intersection of the indoor environment with the human microbiome and health is increasingly vital. The indoor microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms influenced by human activities and environmental factors, plays a pivotal role in modulating infectious diseases and fostering healthy immune development. Recent advancements in microbiome research shed light on this unique ecological system, highlighting the need for innovative approaches in creating health-promoting living spaces. In this Review, we explore the microbial ecology of built environments - places where humans spend most of their lives - and its implications for immune, endocrine and neurological health. We further propose strategies to harness the indoor microbiome for better health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Gilbert
- Department of Paediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Erica M Hartmann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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Lee S, Ryu SH, Sul WJ, Kim S, Kim D, Seo S. Association of exposure to indoor molds and dampness with allergic diseases at water-damaged dwellings in Korea. Sci Rep 2024; 14:135. [PMID: 38167981 PMCID: PMC10762174 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50226-w] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aims to characterize levels of molds, bacteria, and environmental pollutants, identify the associations between indoor mold and dampness exposures and childhood allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, using three different exposure assessment tools. A total of 50 children with their parents who registered in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do in Korea participated in this study. We collated the information on demographic and housing characteristics, environmental conditions, and lifestyle factors using the Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. We also collected environmental monitoring samples of airborne molds and bacteria, total volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and particulate matter less than 10 µm. We evaluated and determined water damage, hidden dampness, and mold growth in dwellings using an infrared (IR) thermal camera and field inspection. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between prevalent allergic diseases and exposure to indoor mold and dampness. Indoor mold and bacterial levels were related to the presence of water damage in dwellings, and the mean levels of indoor molds (93.4 ± 73.5 CFU/m3) and bacteria (221.5 ± 124.2 CFU/m3) in water-damaged homes were significantly higher than those for molds (82.0 ± 58.7 CFU/m3) and for bacteria (152.7 ± 82.1 CFU/m3) in non-damaged dwellings (p < 0.05). The crude odds ratios (ORs) of atopic dermatitis were associated with < 6th floor (OR = 3.80), and higher indoor mold (OR = 6.42) and bacterial levels (OR = 6.00). The crude ORs of allergic diseases, defined as a group of cases who ever suffered from two out of three allergic diseases, e.g., asthma and allergic rhinitis, and allergic rhinitis were also increased by 3.8 and 9.3 times as large, respectively, with water damage (+) determined by IR camera (p < 0.05). The adjusted OR of allergic rhinitis was significantly elevated by 10.4 times in the water-damaged dwellings after adjusting age, sex, and secondhand smoke. Therefore, a longitudinal study is needed to characterize dominant mold species using DNA/RNA-based sequencing techniques and identify a causal relationship between mold exposure and allergic diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokwon Lee
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hun Ryu
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Jun Sul
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghyun Kim
- Allergy Immunology Center, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohyeong Kim
- School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080-3021, USA
| | - SungChul Seo
- Department of Nano, Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Seokyeong University, Seoul, 02173, Republic of Korea.
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Haines SR, Hall EC, Marciniak K, Misztal PK, Goldstein AH, Adams RI, Dannemiller KC. Correction to: Microbial growth and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from carpet and drywall under elevated relative humidity conditions. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:219. [PMID: 34743739 PMCID: PMC8573916 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01179-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
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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