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Hu P, Sharaby Y, Gu J, Radian A, Lang‐Yona N. Environmental processes and health implications potentially mediated by dust-borne bacteria. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13222. [PMID: 38151778 PMCID: PMC10866058 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Understanding microbial migration and survival mechanisms in dust events (DEs) can elucidate genetic and metabolic exchange between environments and help predict the atmospheric pathways of ecological and health-related microbial stressors. Dust-borne microbial communities have been previously characterized, but the impact and interactions between potentially active bacteria within transported communities remain limited. Here, we analysed samples collected during DEs in Israel, using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes and transcripts. Different air trajectories and wind speeds were associated not only with the genomic microbial community composition variations but also with specific 16S rRNA bacterial transcripts. Potentially active dust-borne bacteria exhibited positive interactions, including carbon and nitrogen cycling, biotransformation of heavy metals, degradation of organic compounds, biofilm formation, and the presence of pathogenic taxa. This study provides insights into the potential interactive relationships and survival strategies of microorganisms within the extreme dust environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Hu
- Civil and Environmental EngineeringTechnion—Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
- Environmental Science and Engineering Research GroupGuangdong Technion—Israel Institute of TechnologyShantouGuangdongChina
| | - Yehonatan Sharaby
- Civil and Environmental EngineeringTechnion—Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
- Present address:
Department of Biology and EnvironmentUniversity of HaifaOranimTivonIsrael
| | - Ji‐Dong Gu
- Environmental Science and Engineering Research GroupGuangdong Technion—Israel Institute of TechnologyShantouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Technologies for Energy ConversionGuangdong Technion—Israel Institute of TechnologyShantouGuangdongChina
| | - Adi Radian
- Civil and Environmental EngineeringTechnion—Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Naama Lang‐Yona
- Civil and Environmental EngineeringTechnion—Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
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Das S, McEwen A, Prospero J, Spalink D, Chellam S. Respirable Metals, Bacteria, and Fungi during a Saharan-Sahelian Dust Event in Houston, Texas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19942-19955. [PMID: 37943153 PMCID: PMC10862556 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Although airborne bacteria and fungi can impact human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health, very few studies have investigated the possible impact of their long-range transport in the context of more commonly measured aerosol species, especially those present in an urban environment. We report first-of-kind simultaneous measurements of the elemental and microbial composition of North American respirable airborne particulate matter concurrent with a Saharan-Sahelian dust episode. Comprehensive taxonomic and phylogenetic profiles of microbial communities obtained by 16S/18S/ITS rDNA sequencing identified hundreds of bacteria and fungi, including several cataloged in the World Health Organization's lists of global priority human pathogens along with numerous other animal and plant pathogens and (poly)extremophiles. While elemental analysis sensitively tracked long-range transported Saharan dust and its mixing with locally emitted aerosols, microbial diversity, phylogeny, composition, and abundance did not well correlate with the apportioned African dust mass. Bacterial/fungal diversity, phylogenetic signal, and community turnover were strongly correlated to apportioned sources (especially vehicular emissions and construction activities) and elemental composition (especially calcium). Bacterial communities were substantially more dissimilar from each other across sampling days than were fungal communities. Generalized dissimilarity modeling revealed that daily compositional turnover in both communities was linked to calcium concentrations and aerosols from local vehicles and Saharan dust. Because African dust is known to impact large areas in northern South America, the Caribbean Basin, and the southern United States, the microbiological impacts of such long-range transport should be assessed in these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Das
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Alyvia McEwen
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Joseph Prospero
- Rosenstiel
School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33149, United States
| | - Daniel Spalink
- Department
of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas
A&M University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Shankararaman Chellam
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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Amato P, Mathonat F, Nuñez Lopez L, Péguilhan R, Bourhane Z, Rossi F, Vyskocil J, Joly M, Ervens B. The aeromicrobiome: the selective and dynamic outer-layer of the Earth's microbiome. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1186847. [PMID: 37260685 PMCID: PMC10227452 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1186847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The atmosphere is an integral component of the Earth's microbiome. Abundance, viability, and diversity of microorganisms circulating in the air are determined by various factors including environmental physical variables and intrinsic and biological properties of microbes, all ranging over large scales. The aeromicrobiome is thus poorly understood and difficult to predict due to the high heterogeneity of the airborne microorganisms and their properties, spatially and temporally. The atmosphere acts as a highly selective dispersion means on large scales for microbial cells, exposing them to a multitude of physical and chemical atmospheric processes. We provide here a brief critical review of the current knowledge and propose future research directions aiming at improving our comprehension of the atmosphere as a biome.
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Casamayor EO, Cáliz J, Triadó-Margarit X, Pointing SB. Understanding atmospheric intercontinental dispersal of harmful microorganisms. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 81:102945. [PMID: 37087840 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
The atmosphere is a major route for microbial intercontinental dispersal, including harmful microorganisms, antibiotic resistance genes, and allergens, with strong implications in ecosystem functioning and global health. Long-distance dispersal is facilitated by air movement at higher altitudes in the free troposphere and is affected by anthropogenic forcing, climate change, and by the general atmospheric circulation, mainly in the intertropical convergence zone. The survival of microorganisms during atmospheric transport and their remote invasive potential are fundamental questions, but data are scarce. Extreme atmospheric conditions represent a challenge to survival that requires specific adaptive strategies, and recovery of air samples from the high altitudes relevant to study harmful microorganisms can be challenging. In this paper, we highlight the scope of the problem, identify challenges and knowledge gaps, and offer a roadmap for improved understanding of intercontinental microbial dispersal and their outcomes. Greater understanding of long-distance dispersal requires research focus on local factors that affect emissions, coupled with conditions influencing transport and survival at high altitudes, and eventual deposition at sink locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio O Casamayor
- Ecology of the Global Microbiome, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes-CSIC, E-17300 Blanes, Spain.
| | - Joan Cáliz
- Ecology of the Global Microbiome, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes-CSIC, E-17300 Blanes, Spain
| | - Xavier Triadó-Margarit
- Ecology of the Global Microbiome, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes-CSIC, E-17300 Blanes, Spain
| | - Stephen B Pointing
- Yale-NUS College & Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Lee YH, Kim H, Heo DW, Ahn IS, Auh QS. Volatile sulfide compounds and oral microorganisms on the inner surface of masks in individuals with halitosis during COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2487. [PMID: 36781937 PMCID: PMC9924882 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29080-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mask-wearing is still recommended owing to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the closed chamber created by the mask, people are increasingly self-aware of their oral malodor. In this prospective and cross-sectional study, we aimed to measure volatile sulfide compound (VSC) levels in patients with halitosis and investigate the oral microbiome profile on the inner surface of their KF94 masks. We also investigated which oral microbiota increases VSC levels and whether the oral microbiomes of oral saliva and mask are correlated. A total of 50 subjects (41 women, average age 38.12 ± 12.58 years old) were included in the study, 25 healthy subjects and 25 patients with halitosis who wore masks for more than 3 h. The dominant bacterial species, bacterial profile, and Shannon diversity index of whole unstimulated saliva and the inner surface of the mask were investigated. The bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes of the major oral bacterial species were analyzed using real-time PCR. Gas chromatography was used to measure hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), which are representative VSCs. The total bacterial DNA copy number was significantly higher in the saliva sample than in the mask sample (p < 0.001), and the average value was 276 times greater. Shannon diversity index was also significantly higher in saliva than in the inner surface of the mask (2.62 ± 0.81 vs. 1.15 ± 1.52, p < 0.001). The most common Gram-negative and Gram-positive species in the masks were Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Lactobacillus casei (Lc), respectively. The bacterial species with significant positive correlations between saliva and mask samples were Prevotella intermedia (Pi) (r = 0.324, p = 0.022), Eikenella corrodens (r = 0.309, p = 0.029), Lc (r = 0.293, p = 0.039), and Parvimonas micra (Pm) (r = 0.366, p = 0.009). The mean value of CH3SH was significantly higher in the halitosis group than in the non-halitosis group (17.84 ± 29.00 vs. 3.84 ± 10.57 ppb, p = 0.031). In the halitosis group, the DNA copy numbers and VSC levels showed highly positive correlation coefficients in the order Pg, Treponema denticola (Td), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Pi, and Prevotella nigrescens (Pn) (all p < 0.05). Regarding bacterial profiles of the mask, Td was strongly correlated with CH3SH (r = 0.414, p = 0.040) and total VSCs (r = 0.374, p = 0.033) only in halitosis group. Mask-wearing time was strongly correlated with total VSCs, H2S, and CH3SH (all r > 0.8, p < 0.001). Oral bacteria, whose association with halitosis has been identified, increased VSC levels in mask-wearing subjects during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the number of Gram-negative anaerobes such as Pg and Td. Mask-wearing time was a major factor in increasing VSC levels. The study results suggest that people with halitosis could control these Gram-negative bacteria by improving oral hygiene and regularly changing masks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Hee Lee
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, #613 Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea.
| | - Hyeongrok Kim
- Life Science Institute, Denomics Inc. 518, 5 Digital-Ro 26-Gil, Guro-Gu, Seoul, 08389, South Korea
| | - Dae Wook Heo
- Life Science Institute, Denomics Inc. 518, 5 Digital-Ro 26-Gil, Guro-Gu, Seoul, 08389, South Korea
| | - In-Suk Ahn
- Life Science Institute, Denomics Inc. 518, 5 Digital-Ro 26-Gil, Guro-Gu, Seoul, 08389, South Korea
| | - Q-Schick Auh
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, #613 Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea
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Vergadi E, Rouva G, Angeli M, Galanakis E. Infectious Diseases Associated with Desert Dust Outbreaks: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116907. [PMID: 35682493 PMCID: PMC9180817 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Desert dust outbreaks and dust storms are the major source of particulate matter globally and pose a major threat to human health. We investigated the microorganisms transported with desert dust particles and evaluated their potential impact on human health. Methods: A systematic review of all reports on the association between non-anthropogenic desert dust pollution, dust microorganisms and human health is conducted. Results: In total, 51 articles were included in this review. The affected regions studied were Asia (32/51, 62.7%) followed by Europe (9/51, 17.6%), America (6/51, 11.8%), Africa (4/51, 7.8%) and Australia (1/51, 2.0%). The Sahara Desert was the most frequent source of dust, followed by Asian and American deserts. In 39/51 studies the dust-related microbiome was analyzed, while, in 12/51 reports, the association of desert dust with infectious disease outbreaks was examined. Pathogenic and opportunistic agents were isolated from dust in 24/39 (61.5%) and 29/39 (74.4%) of the studies, respectively. A significant association of dust events with infectious disease outbreaks was found in 10/12 (83.3%) reports. The infectious diseases that were mostly investigated with dust outbreaks were pneumonia, respiratory tract infections, COVID-19, pulmonary tuberculosis and coccidioidomycosis. Conclusions: Desert dust outbreaks are vehicles of a significant number of pathogenic or opportunistic microorganisms and limited data indicate an association between dust events and infectious disease outbreaks. Further research is required to strengthen the correlation between dust events and infectious diseases and subsequently guide preventive public health measures.
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