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Sarkhoshkalat M, Nasab MA, Yari MR, Tabatabaee SS, Ghavami V, Joulaei F, Sarkhosh M. Assessment of UV radiation effects on airborne mucormycetes and bacterial populations in a hospital environment. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2708. [PMID: 38302627 PMCID: PMC10834397 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53100-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections, such as mucormycosis, often result from inhaling sporangiospore present in the environment. Surprisingly, the extent of airborne Mucormycetes sporangiospore concentrations remains inadequately explored. This study aimed to assess the influence of UV radiation on microbial populations and Mucormycetes spore levels within a hospital environment in northern Iran. A comprehensive dataset comprising 298 air samples collected from both indoor and outdoor settings was compiled. The culture was conducted using Blood Agar and Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol (DRBC) culture media, with Chloramphenicol included for fungal agents and Blood Agar for bacterial. Before UV treatment, the average count of Mucormycetes ranged from 0 to 26.4 ± 25.28 CFU m-3, fungal agents from 2.24 ± 3.22 to 117.24 ± 27.6 CFU m-3, and bacterial agents from 29.03 ± 9.9 to 359.37 ± 68.50 CFU m-3. Following UV irradiation, the averages were as follows: Mucormycetes ranged from 0 to 7.85 ± 6.8 CFU m-3, fungal agents from 16.58 ± 4.79 to 154.98 ± 28.35 CFU m-3, and bacterial agents from 0.38 ± 0.65 to 43.92 ± 6.50 CFU m-3. This study, notably marks the pioneering use of UV light to mitigate Mucormycetes spore counts and bacterial agents in northeastern Iran, contributing to the advancement of environmental health and safety practices in hospital settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahdi Ahmadi Nasab
- Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Yari
- Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Saeed Tabatabaee
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Management Sciences and Health Economics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Vahid Ghavami
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Joulaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Sarkhosh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Meyer S, Hüttig N, Zenk M, Jäckel U, Pöther D. Bioaerosols in swine confinement buildings: A metaproteomic view. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 15:684-697. [PMID: 37919246 PMCID: PMC10667663 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Swine confinement buildings represent workplaces with high biological air pollution. It is suspected that individual components of inhalable air are causatives of chronic respiratory disease that are regularly detected among workers. In order to understand the relationship between exposure and stress, it is necessary to study the components of bioaerosols in more detail. For this purpose, bioaerosols from pig barns were collected on quartz filters and analysed via a combinatorial approach of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and metaproteomics. The study reveals the presence of peptides from pigs, their feed and microorganisms. The proportion of fungal peptides detected is considered to be underrepresented compared to bacterial peptides. In addition, the metaproteomic workflow enabled functional predictions about the discovered peptides. Housekeeping proteins were found in particular, but also evidence for the presence of bacterial virulence factors (e.g., serralysin-like metalloprotease) as well as plant (e.g., chitinase) and fungal allergens (e.g., alt a10). Metaproteomic analyses can thus be used to identify factors that may be relevant to the health of pig farmers. Accordingly, such studies could be used in the future to assess the adverse health potential of an occupationally relevant bioaerosol and help consider defined protective strategies for workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Meyer
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthBerlinGermany
| | - Nicole Hüttig
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthBerlinGermany
| | - Marianne Zenk
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN)DummerstorfGermany
| | - Udo Jäckel
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthBerlinGermany
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Ouyang H, Wang L, Sapkota D, Yang M, Morán J, Li L, Olson BA, Schwartz M, Hogan CJ, Torremorell M. Control technologies to prevent aerosol-based disease transmission in animal agriculture production settings: a review of established and emerging approaches. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1291312. [PMID: 38033641 PMCID: PMC10682736 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1291312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmission of infectious agents via aerosols is an ever-present concern in animal agriculture production settings, as the aerosol route to disease transmission can lead to difficult-to-control and costly diseases, such as porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus and influenza A virus. It is increasingly necessary to implement control technologies to mitigate aerosol-based disease transmission. Here, we review currently utilized and prospective future aerosol control technologies to collect and potentially inactivate pathogens in aerosols, with an emphasis on technologies that can be incorporated into mechanically driven (forced air) ventilation systems to prevent aerosol-based disease spread from facility to facility. Broadly, we find that control technologies can be grouped into three categories: (1) currently implemented technologies; (2) scaled technologies used in industrial and medical settings; and (3) emerging technologies. Category (1) solely consists of fibrous filter media, which have been demonstrated to reduce the spread of PRRSV between swine production facilities. We review the mechanisms by which filters function and are rated (minimum efficiency reporting values). Category (2) consists of electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), used industrially to collect aerosol particles in higher flow rate systems, and ultraviolet C (UV-C) systems, used in medical settings to inactivate pathogens. Finally, category (3) consists of a variety of technologies, including ionization-based systems, microwaves, and those generating reactive oxygen species, often with the goal of pathogen inactivation in aerosols. As such technologies are typically first tested through varied means at the laboratory scale, we additionally review control technology testing techniques at various stages of development, from laboratory studies to field demonstration, and in doing so, suggest uniform testing and report standards are needed. Testing standards should consider the cost-benefit of implementing the technologies applicable to the livestock species of interest. Finally, we examine economic models for implementing aerosol control technologies, defining the collected infectious particles per unit energy demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ouyang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas-Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - Deepak Sapkota
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas-Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - My Yang
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - José Morán
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Li Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Bernard A. Olson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Mark Schwartz
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
- Schwartz Farms, Sleepy Eye, MN, United States
| | - Christopher J. Hogan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Montserrat Torremorell
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
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Liu T, Li G, Liu Z, Xi L, Ma W, Gao X. Characteristics of aerosols from swine farms: A review of the past two-decade progress. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108074. [PMID: 37441818 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid development of large-scale and intensive swine production, the emission of aerosols from swine farms has become a growing concern, attracting extensive attention. While aerosols are found in various environments, those from swine farms are distinguished from human habitats, such as residential, suburban, and urban areas. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of aerosols from swine farms, this paper reviewed relevant studies conducted between 2000 and 2022. The main components, concentrations, and size distribution of the aerosols were systematically reviewed. The differences between aerosols from swine farms and human living and working environments were compared. Finally, the sources, influencing factors, and reduction technologies for aerosols from swine farms were thoroughly elucidated. The results demonstrated that the concentrations of aerosols inside swine farms varied considerably, and most exceeded safety thresholds. However, further exploration is needed to fully understand the difference in airborne microorganism community structure and particles with small sizes (<1 μm) between swine farms and human living and working environments. More airborne bacterial and viruses were adhered to large particles in swine houses, while the proportion of airborne fungi in the respirable fraction was similar to that of human living and working environments. In addition, swine farms have a higher abundance and diversity of potential pathogens, airborne resistant microorganisms and resistant genes compared to the human living and working environments. The aerosols of swine farms mainly originated from sources such as manure, feed, swine hair and skin, secondary production, and waste treatment. According to the source analysis and factors influencing aerosols in swine farms, various technologies could be employed to mitigate aerosol emissions, and some end-of-pipe technologies need to be further improved before they are widely applied. Swine farms are advised not to increase aerosol concentration in human living and working environments, in order to decrease the impact of aerosols from swine farms on human health and restrain the spread of airborne potential pathogens. This review provides critical insights into aerosols of swine farms, offering guidance for taking appropriate measures to enhance air quality inside and surrounding swine farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongshuai Liu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China; Henan Engineering Research Center on Animal Healthy Environment and Intelligent Equipment, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Guoming Li
- Department of Poultry Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Institute for Artificial Intelligence, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Zhilong Liu
- Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy Library, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Lei Xi
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China; Henan Engineering Research Center on Animal Healthy Environment and Intelligent Equipment, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Wei Ma
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China; Henan Engineering Research Center on Animal Healthy Environment and Intelligent Equipment, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Xuan Gao
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
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