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Couch JR, Grimes GR, Wiegand DM, Green BJ, Glassford EK, Zwack LM, Lemons AR, Jackson SR, Beezhold DH. Potential occupational and respiratory hazards in a Minnesota cannabis cultivation and processing facility. Am J Ind Med 2019; 62:874-882. [PMID: 31332812 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis has been legalized in some form for much of the United States. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a health hazard evaluation request from a Minnesota cannabis facility and their union to undertake an evaluation. METHODS NIOSH representatives visited the facility in August 2016 and April 2017. Surface wipe samples were collected for analysis of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol acid (Δ9-THCA), cannabidiol, and cannabinol. Environmental air samples were collected for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), endotoxins (limulus amebocyte lysate assay), and fungal diversity (NIOSH two-stage BC251 bioaerosol sampler with internal transcribed spacer region sequencing analysis). RESULTS Surface wipe samples identified Δ9-THC throughout the facility. Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione were measured in initial VOC screening and subsequent sampling during tasks where heat transference was greatest, though levels were well below the NIOSH recommended exposure limits. Endotoxin concentrations were highest during processing activities, while internal transcribed spacer region sequencing revealed that the Basidiomycota genus, Wallemia, had the highest relative abundance. CONCLUSIONS To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of potential diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione exposure in the cannabis industry, most notably during cannabis decarboxylation. Endotoxin exposure was elevated during grinding, indicating that this is a potentially high-risk task. The findings indicate that potential health hazards of significance are present during cannabis processing, and employers should be aware of potential exposures to VOCs, endotoxin, and fungi. Further research into the degree of respiratory and dermal hazards and resulting health effects in this industry is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Couch
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Cincinnati Ohio
| | - George R. Grimes
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Cincinnati Ohio
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory ServicesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Douglas M. Wiegand
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Cincinnati Ohio
| | | | - Eric K. Glassford
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Leonard M. Zwack
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Angela R. Lemons
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Stephen R. Jackson
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Donald H. Beezhold
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Morgantown West Virginia
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Skalski JH, Limon JJ, Sharma P, Gargus MD, Nguyen C, Tang J, Coelho AL, Hogaboam CM, Crother TR, Underhill DM. Expansion of commensal fungus Wallemia mellicola in the gastrointestinal mycobiota enhances the severity of allergic airway disease in mice. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007260. [PMID: 30235351 PMCID: PMC6147580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal microbiota influences immune function throughout the body. The gut-lung axis refers to the concept that alterations of gut commensal microorganisms can have a distant effect on immune function in the lung. Overgrowth of intestinal Candida albicans has been previously observed to exacerbate allergic airways disease in mice, but whether subtler changes in intestinal fungal microbiota can affect allergic airways disease is less clear. In this study we have investigated the effects of the population expansion of commensal fungus Wallemia mellicola without overgrowth of the total fungal community. Wallemia spp. are commonly found as a minor component of the commensal gastrointestinal mycobiota in both humans and mice. Mice with an unaltered gut microbiota community resist population expansion when gavaged with W. mellicola; however, transient antibiotic depletion of gut microbiota creates a window of opportunity for expansion of W. mellicola following delivery of live spores to the gastrointestinal tract. This phenomenon is not universal as other commensal fungi (Aspergillus amstelodami, Epicoccum nigrum) do not expand when delivered to mice with antibiotic-depleted microbiota. Mice with Wallemia-expanded gut mycobiota experienced altered pulmonary immune responses to inhaled aeroallergens. Specifically, after induction of allergic airways disease with intratracheal house dust mite (HDM) antigen, mice demonstrated enhanced eosinophilic airway infiltration, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine challenge, goblet cell hyperplasia, elevated bronchoalveolar lavage IL-5, and enhanced serum HDM IgG1. This phenomenon occurred with no detectable Wallemia in the lung. Targeted amplicon sequencing analysis of the gastrointestinal mycobiota revealed that expansion of W. mellicola in the gut was associated with additional alterations of bacterial and fungal commensal communities. We therefore colonized fungus-free Altered Schaedler Flora (ASF) mice with W. mellicola. ASF mice colonized with W. mellicola experienced enhanced severity of allergic airways disease compared to fungus-free control ASF mice without changes in bacterial community composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph H. Skalski
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Jose J. Limon
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Purnima Sharma
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew D. Gargus
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher Nguyen
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jie Tang
- Genomics Core, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ana Lucia Coelho
- Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Cory M. Hogaboam
- Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Timothy R. Crother
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - David M. Underhill
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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The Genus Wallemia—From Contamination of Food to Health Threat. Microorganisms 2018; 6:microorganisms6020046. [PMID: 29883408 PMCID: PMC6027281 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms6020046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungal genus Wallemia of the order Wallemiales (Wallemiomycotina, Basidiomycota) comprises the most xerotolerant, xerophilic and also halophilic species worldwide. Wallemia spp. are found in various osmotically challenged environments, such as dry, salted, or highly sugared foods, dry feed, hypersaline waters of solar salterns, salt crystals, indoor and outdoor air, and agriculture aerosols. Recently, eight species were recognized for the genus Wallemia, among which four are commonly associated with foods: W. sebi, W. mellicola, W. muriae and W. ichthyophaga. To date, only strains of W. sebi, W. mellicola and W. muriae have been reported to be related to human health problems, as either allergological conditions (e.g., farmer’s lung disease) or rare subcutaneous/cutaneous infections. Therefore, this allergological and infective potential, together with the toxins that the majority of Wallemia spp. produce even under saline conditions, defines these fungi as filamentous food-borne pathogenic fungi.
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Identification of Antigenic Proteins from Lichtheimia corymbifera for Farmer's Lung Disease Diagnosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160888. [PMID: 27490813 PMCID: PMC4973876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of recombinant antigens has been shown to improve both the sensitivity and the standardization of the serological diagnosis of Farmer’s lung disease (FLD). The aim of this study was to complete the panel of recombinant antigens available for FLD serodiagnosis with antigens of Lichtheimia corymbifera, known to be involved in FLD. L. corymbifera proteins were thus separated by 2D electrophoresis and subjected to western blotting with sera from 7 patients with FLD and 9 healthy exposed controls (HEC). FLD-associated immunoreactive proteins were identified by mass spectrometry based on a protein database specifically created for this study and subsequently produced as recombinant antigens. The ability of recombinant antigens to discriminate patients with FLD from controls was assessed by ELISA performed with sera from FLD patients (n = 41) and controls (n = 43) recruited from five university hospital pneumology departments of France and Switzerland. Forty-one FLD-associated immunoreactive proteins from L. corymbifera were identified. Six of them were produced as recombinant antigens. With a sensitivity and specificity of 81.4 and 77.3% respectively, dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase was the most effective antigen for discriminating FLD patients from HEC. ELISA performed with the putative proteasome subunit alpha type as an antigen was especially specific (88.6%) and could thus be used for FLD confirmation. The production of recombinant antigens from L. corymbifera represents an additional step towards the development of a standardized ELISA kit for FLD diagnosis.
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Hypersensitivity pneumonitis and antigen identification--An alternate approach. Respir Med 2015; 112:97-105. [PMID: 26831202 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Identification of the causal antigen for patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is challenging in a standard clinical setting. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether it was possible to evaluate the home/workplace of patients, and identify the causal antigen. METHODS Using a case-control study design we compared the presence of antibody to antigen collected in the environment of individuals with HP and controls consisting of family members/co-workers. Based on patient interviews, homes/workplaces were evaluated and suspected sources of antigen collected for use in immunoassays. RESULTS Nineteen individuals with HP participated with 15 classified as having fibrotic disease. Up to 54 bulk samples were collected from each patient's environment, with multiple isolates (antigens) cultured from each. Of the seven individuals who tested positive to one or more environmental samples, three had a positive response to more than 1 antigen from the environmental sample (range 1-9). Twelve individuals tested positive to antigen(s) on a standard panel, with only one overlapping with the antigen from the home/workplace sample. A significant association existed between results of interviews/site evaluations, and ability to collect antigen eliciting a positive response (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Antigen identification was successful for patients with 'active' disease. Antigens for which patients test positive on standard panels may not be present in their environment. One benefit to patient-centered testing is the ability to develop recommendations specific to their environment. As most individuals tested positive for >1 antigen, further investigation is warranted to determine the actual antigen responsible for disease.
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Jančič S, Nguyen HDT, Frisvad JC, Zalar P, Schroers HJ, Seifert KA, Gunde-Cimerman N. A Taxonomic Revision of the Wallemia sebi Species Complex. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125933. [PMID: 26017053 PMCID: PMC4446336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Wallemia sebi is a xerophilic food- and air-borne fungus. The name has been used for strains that prevail in cold, temperate and tropical climates. In this study, multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, DNA replication licensing factor (MCM7), pre-rRNA processing protein (TSR1), RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) and a new marker 3´-phosphoadenosine-5´-phosphatase (HAL2), confirmed the previous hypothesis that W. sebi presents a complex of at least four species. Here, we confirm and apply the phylogenetic analyses based species hypotheses from a companion study to guide phenotypic assessment of W. sebi like strains from a wide range of substrates, climates and continents allowed the recognition of W. sebi sensu stricto and three new species described as W. mellicola, W. Canadensis, and W. tropicalis. The species differ in their conidial size, xerotolerance, halotolerance, chaotolerance, growth temperature regimes, extracellular enzyme activity profiles, and secondary metabolite patterns. A key to all currently accepted Wallemia species is provided that allow their identification on the basis of physiological, micromorphological and culture characters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sašo Jančič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Hai D. T. Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jens C. Frisvad
- Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Polona Zalar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Keith A. Seifert
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Biodiversity (Mycology), Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins (CIPKeBiP), Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Jančič S, Zalar P, Kocev D, Schroers HJ, Džeroski S, Gunde-Cimerman N. Halophily reloaded: new insights into the extremophilic life-style of Wallemia with the description of Wallemia hederae sp. nov. FUNGAL DIVERS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s13225-015-0333-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Nguyen HDT, Jančič S, Meijer M, Tanney JB, Zalar P, Gunde-Cimerman N, Seifert KA. Application of the phylogenetic species concept to Wallemia sebi from house dust and indoor air revealed by multi-locus genealogical concordance. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120894. [PMID: 25799362 PMCID: PMC4370657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
A worldwide survey of Wallemia occurring in house dust and indoor air was conducted. The isolated strains were identified as W. sebi and W. muriae. Previous studies suggested that the W. sebi phylogenetic clade contained cryptic species but conclusive evidence was lacking because only the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) marker was analyzed. The ITS and four protein-coding genes (MCM7, RPB1, RPB2, and TSR1) were sequenced for 85 isolates. Based on an initial neighbor joining analysis of the concatenated genes, W. muriae remained monophyletic but four clades were found in W. sebi, which we designated as W. sebi clades 1, 2, 3, and 4. We hypothesized that these clades represent distinct phylogenetic species within the Wallemia sebi species complex (WSSC). We then conducted multiple phylogenetic analyses and demonstrated genealogical concordance, which supports the existence of four phylogenetic species within the WSSC. Geographically, W. muriae was only found in Europe, W. sebi clade 3 was only found in Canada, W. sebi clade 4 was found in subtropical regions, while W. sebi clade 1 and 2 were found worldwide. Haplotype analysis showed that W. sebi clades 1 and 2 had multiple haplotypes while W. sebi clades 3 and 4 had one haplotype and may have been under sampled. We describe W. sebi clades 2, 3, and 4 as new species in a companion study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai D. T. Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Biodiversity (Mycology), Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail: (HDTN); (KAS)
| | - Sašo Jančič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martin Meijer
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joey B. Tanney
- Biodiversity (Mycology), Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Polona Zalar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Keith A. Seifert
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Biodiversity (Mycology), Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Rognon B, Reboux G, Roussel S, Barrera C, Dalphin JC, Fellrath JM, Monod M, Millon L. Western blotting as a tool for the serodiagnosis of farmer's lung disease: validation with Lichtheimia corymbifera protein extracts. J Med Microbiol 2015; 64:359-368. [PMID: 25666836 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrosyneresis and double diffusion are immunoprecipitation techniques commonly used in the serological diagnosis of Farmer's lung disease (FLD). These techniques are reliable but lack standardization. The aim of this study was to evaluate Western blotting for the serodiagnosis of FLD. We carried out Western blotting with an antigenic extract of Lichtheimia corymbifera, an important aetiological agent of the disease. The membranes were probed with sera from 21 patients with FLD and 21 healthy exposed controls to examine the IgG antibody responses against purified somatic antigens. Given the low prevalence of the disease, 21 patients could be considered as a relevant series. Four bands were significantly more frequently represented in membranes probed with FLD sera (bands at 27.7, 40.5, 44.0 and 50.5 kDa) than those probed with control sera. We assessed the diagnostic value of different criteria alone or in combination. The diagnostic accuracy of the test was highest with the inclusion of at least two of the following criteria: at least five bands on the strip and the presence of one band at 40.5 or 44.0 kDa. Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were all 81%, and the odds ratio was 18.06. Inclusion of bands of high intensity diminished rather than improved the diagnostic value of the test. We concluded that Western blotting is a valuable technique for the serodiagnosis of FLD. The industrial production of ready-to-use membranes would enable the routine use of this technique in laboratories, and provide reliable and standardized diagnostic results within a few hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bénédicte Rognon
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital, Besançon, France.,UMR Chrono-Environnement 6249/CNRS, University of Besançon, France
| | - Gabriel Reboux
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital, Besançon, France.,UMR Chrono-Environnement 6249/CNRS, University of Besançon, France
| | - Sandrine Roussel
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital, Besançon, France.,UMR Chrono-Environnement 6249/CNRS, University of Besançon, France
| | - Coralie Barrera
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital, Besançon, France.,UMR Chrono-Environnement 6249/CNRS, University of Besançon, France
| | - Jean-Charles Dalphin
- Department of Respiratory Disease, University Hospital, Besançon, France.,UMR Chrono-Environnement 6249/CNRS, University of Besançon, France
| | - Jean-Marc Fellrath
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital, Neuchatel, Switzerland
| | - Michel Monod
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurence Millon
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital, Besançon, France.,UMR Chrono-Environnement 6249/CNRS, University of Besançon, France
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Barrera C, Millon L, Rognon B, Quadroni M, Roussel S, Dalphin JC, Court-Fortune I, Caillaud D, Jouneau S, Fellrath JM, Zaugg C, Reboux G, Monod M. Immunoreactive proteins of Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula for farmer's lung serodiagnosis. Proteomics Clin Appl 2014; 8:971-81. [PMID: 25264606 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201400024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula is the principal cause of farmer's lung disease (FLD). Serodiagnosis is based on immunoprecipitation techniques or enzyme immunoassays with homemade crude antigens and is not standardized. We aimed to produce specific recombinant antigens for the development of a standardized ELISA. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We recruited 41 patients and 43 healthy exposed controls from five university hospital pneumology departments in France and Switzerland. S. rectivirgula proteins were extracted, separated by 2D electrophoresis, and subjected to Western blotting, with sera from FLD patients or controls. FLD-specific proteins were identified by MS and were produced as recombinant antigens. The diagnostic performance of ELISA tests using the recombinant antigens was assessed with all the sera from FLD patients and controls. RESULTS We identified 25 FLD-specific proteins, some of which play important roles in transport, nutrition, or virulence. We produced 17 of these proteins as recombinant antigens and assessed their suitability for inclusion in the ELISA test. A combination of three of these proteins (SR1FA, SR17, and SR22) proved remarkably effective at discriminating between patients and controls, with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 77%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The recombinant antigens produced in this study constitute a major step toward the improvement of diagnostic performance and the standardization of FLD serodiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Barrera
- UMR6249 Chrono-environnement, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France; Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
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11
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Desroches TC, McMullin DR, Miller JD. Extrolites of Wallemia sebi, a very common fungus in the built environment. INDOOR AIR 2014; 24:533-542. [PMID: 24471934 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Wallemia sebi has been primarily known as a spoilage fungus of dried, salted fish and other foods that are salty or sweet. However, this fungus is also very common in house dust. The health effects of chronic exposure to mold and dampness are known to be associated with both allergens and various inflammatory compounds, including the secondary metabolites of building associated fungi and their allergens. IgE sensitization to W. sebi has been long reported from housing and occupational exposures. However, its allergens have not been described previously. Strains from food have been reported to produce a number of compounds with modest toxicity. Strains from the built environment in Canada produced a number of metabolites including the known compound walleminone and a new compound 1-benzylhexahydroimidazo [1,5-α] pyridine-3,5-dione which we call wallimidione. Based on an in silico analysis, wallimidione is likely the most toxic of the metabolites reported to date from W. sebi. We found that the primary human antigen of W. sebi is a 47 kDa excreted cellulase present in high concentrations in W. sebi arthrospores. This species is a basidiomycete and, unsurprisingly, the antigen was not found in extracts of other fungi common in the built environment, all ascomycetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Desroches
- Ottawa Carleton Institute of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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12
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Millon L, Roussel S, Rognon B, Quadroni M, Salamin K, Reboux G, Barrera C, Fellrath JM, Aubert JD, Dalphin JC, Monod M. Aspergillus species recombinant antigens for serodiagnosis of farmer's lung disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 130:803-805.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2012] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Zajc J, Zalar P, Plemenitaš A, Gunde-Cimerman N. The mycobiota of the salterns. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 53:133-158. [PMID: 22222830 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-23342-5_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Solar salterns are constructed as shallow multi-pond systems for the production of halite through evaporation of seawater. The main feature of salterns is the discontinuous salinity gradient that provides a range of well-defined habitats with increasing salinities, from moderate to hypersaline. These present one of the most extreme environments, because of the low levels of biologically available water and the toxic concentrations of ions. Up to the year 2000, hypersaline environments were considered to be populated almost exclusively by prokaryotic microorganisms till fungi were reported to be active inhabitants of solar salterns. Since then, numerous fungal species have been described in hypersaline waters around the world. The mycobiota of salterns is represented by different species of the genus Cladosporium and the related meristematic melanized black yeasts, of non-melanized yeasts, of the filamentous genera Penicillium and Aspergillus and their teleomorphic forms (Eurotium and Emericella), and of the basidiomycetous genus Wallemia. Among these, two species became new model organisms for studying the mechanisms of extreme salt tolerance: the extremely halotolerant ascomycetous black yeast Hortaea werneckii and the obligate halophilic basidiomycete Wallemia ichthyophaga.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Zajc
- Biology Department, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
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Botić T, Kunčič MK, Sepčić K, Knez Z, Gunde-Cimerman N. Salt induces biosynthesis of hemolytically active compounds in the xerotolerant food-borne fungus Wallemia sebi. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2011; 326:40-6. [PMID: 22092533 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02428.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Revised: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 09/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Wallemia sebi is a xerotolerant, ubiquitous, food-borne, mycotoxigenic fungus. An ethanol extract of its mycelium demonstrated a strong hemolytic activity, which was further enhanced at high salt concentrations in the growth medium. Characterization of the extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed a mixture of sterols and unsaturated fatty acids, indicating the latter as responsible for the hemolytic activity. The lytic activity of the extract is here studied using red blood cells and artificial small lipid vesicles with various lipid compositions. This shows concentration-dependent hemolysis and preferential activity toward lipid membranes with greater fluidity. The W. sebi lytic activity on mammalian erythrocytes shows its potential involvement in the formation of lesions in subcutaneous infections, in farmer's lung disease, and in consumption of food and feed that are contaminated with food-borne W. sebi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Botić
- Laboratory for Separation Processes and Product Design, Faculty for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
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15
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Xerophilic fungal genus Wallemia: Bioactive inhabitants of marine solar salterns and salty food. ZBORNIK MATICE SRPSKE ZA PRIRODNE NAUKE 2011. [DOI: 10.2298/zmspn1120007z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Wallemia is a genus of cosmopolitan xerophilic fungi, frequently involved in
food spoilage of particularly sweet, salty, and dried food. Until recently,
only a single species, Wallemia sebi, was recognized in the genus. When a
large group of strains globally collected in salterns and other different
ecological niches was analyzed on the level of physiological, morphological
and molecular characteristics, a new basidiomycetous class, Wallemiomycetes,
covering an order of Wallemiales was proposed and three Wallemia species were
recognized: W. ichthyophaga, W. sebi and W. muriae. Wallemia ichthyophaga was
recognized as the most halophilic eukaryote known, thus representing an
appropriate eukaryotic model for in depth studies of adaptation to
hypersaline conditions. Our preliminary studies indicated that all three
Wallemia species synthesized a yet undescribed haemolytic compound under,
surprisingly, low water activity conditions. Due to the taxonomic status w
hich was unrevealed only recently, there were so far no reports on the
production of any bioactive compounds by the three newly described species.
The article aims to present the taxonomy, ecology, physiology and so far
described molecular mechanisms of adaptations to life at low water activity,
as well as bioactive potential of the genus Wallemia, a phylogenetically
ancient taxon and a taxonomic maverick within Basidiomycota.
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16
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Bellanger AP, Reboux G, Botterel F, Candido C, Roussel S, Rognon B, Dalphin JC, Bretagne S, Millon L. New evidence of the involvement ofLichtheimia corymbiferain farmer's lung disease. Med Mycol 2010; 48:981-7. [DOI: 10.3109/13693781003713711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
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17
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Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Wallemia sebi in an immunocompetent host. J Clin Microbiol 2008; 46:1129-31. [PMID: 18174296 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01920-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Wallemia sebi in a 43-year-old-female, the first case reported since 1950. The lesion presented as a nonhealing ulcer on the dorsum of the left foot. Diagnosis was based on histological demonstration of the fungus and its recovery in culture.
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18
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Thaon I, Reboux G, Moulonguet S, Dalphin J. Les pneumopathies d’hypersensibilité en milieu professionnel. ARCH MAL PROF ENVIRO 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s1775-8785(07)78223-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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19
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Reboux G, Piarroux R, Roussel S, Millon L, Bardonnet K, Dalphin JC. Assessment of four serological techniques in the immunological diagnosis of farmers' lung disease. J Med Microbiol 2007; 56:1317-1321. [PMID: 17893167 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.46953-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Farmers' lung disease (FLD) is a pulmonary disease that results from repeated inhalation of antigens from mouldy hay or straw. The objective of this prospective study was to assess the reliability of four serological techniques in FLD diagnosis. Sera from 15 consecutive patients with FLD, 15 healthy control farmers and 30 urban controls were analysed using four serological techniques [electrosyneresis (ES), Ouchterlony double diffusion (DD), ELISA and Western blot (WB)] with four antigens (Absidia corymbifera, Eurotium amstelodami, Wallemia sebi and Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula). In the authors' region, ES on cellulose acetate with A. corymbifera antigen was the most relevant diagnostic tool for discriminating FLD patients from healthy exposed farmers (sensitivity 87 %, specificity 100 %). DD tests were in accordance with ES, but their discriminatory power was lower. No threshold indicating both good sensitivity and specificity could be established with ELISA. WB analysis failed to identify specific bands for FLD. This study demonstrates the efficacy of determining precipitin levels with an appropriate technique, using a panel of antigens consistent with the specific exposure of a given area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Reboux
- Department of Mycology, University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Renaud Piarroux
- Department of Mycology, University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | | | - Laurence Millon
- Department of Mycology, University Hospital, Besançon, France
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20
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Pneumopathies d'hypersensibilité et exposition aux moisissures et actinomycètes de l'environnement. J Mycol Med 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2006.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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21
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22
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Thaon I, Reboux G, Moulonguet S, Dalphin JC. Les pneumopathies d’hypersensibilité en milieu professionnel. Rev Mal Respir 2006; 23:705-25. [PMID: 17202974 DOI: 10.1016/s0761-8425(06)72084-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a granulomatous disease of the lungs due to immune reactions following chronic inhalation of organic dusts or chemicals especially encountered in the occupational environment. The main purpose of this review is to report current concepts regarding aetiologies, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment as well as legal aspects of HP. STATE OF THE ART The following aspects will be focused: (1) increase in new etiological circumstances, especially occupational and news antigens, (2) for diagnosis, the major contribution of chest high resolution CT scan which often shows characteristic images but also recent developments in simple diagnostic criteria that may be used for an epidemiological approach, (3) importance of bronchial obstruction and even emphysema as a long term sequelae, finally (4) the possibility of continuing occupational activities in certain circumstances where preventive measures can be used. PERSPECTIVES The increasing knowledge of etiological agents and circumstances as well as the development of secondary and especially primary preventive measures should lead to reduce the frequency of this disease and of its medico-social consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Thaon
- Service des Maladies Professionnelles, CHU de Besançon, France
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23
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Matheny PB, Gossmann JA, Zalar P, Kumar TA, Hibbett DS. Resolving the phylogenetic position of the Wallemiomycetes: an enigmatic major lineage of Basidiomycota. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1139/b06-128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Wallemiomycetes includes three species of molds from the genus Wallemia . These fungi are adapted to environments of high osmotic stress, contaminate various foods, cause respiratory disease, and have an unusual mode of asexual reproduction. Wallemia was recently proposed as a new class based on 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences to accommodate the isolated position of the clade in the Basidiomycota. We analyzed the phylogenetic position of the Wallemiomycetes using 3451 nucleotide characters of the 18S, 25S, and 5.8S ribosomal RNA genes and 1282 amino acid positions of rpb1, rpb2, and tef1 nuclear protein-coding genes across 91 taxa. Different gene regions and methods of phylogenetic inference produce mildly conflicting placements of the Wallemiomycetes. Parsimony analyses of nrDNA data suggest that the Wallemiomycetes is an early diverging lineage of Basidiomycota, occupying a basal position near the Entorrhizomycetidae. Ultrastructural data, some Bayesian analyses, and amino acid sequences suggest the Wallemiomycetes may be the sister group of the Agaricomycotina or Ustilaginomycotina. The combined gene tree supports the Wallemiomycetes as a lineage basal to a core clade of Pucciniomycotina, Ustilaginomycotina, and Agaricomycotina with robust measures of branch support. This study reinforces the isolated position of Wallemia in the Basidiomycota using molecular data from six nuclear genes. In total, five major lineages of Basidiomycota are recognized: the Agaricomycotina, Ustilaginomycotina, Pucciniomycotina, Entorrhizomycetidae, and the Wallemiomycetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Brandon Matheny
- Biology Department, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
- Department of Mycology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, J.W. Goethe-University Frankfurt, Siesmayerstrasse 71-73, 60323 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- Biology Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala 673635, India
| | - Jasmin A. Gossmann
- Biology Department, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
- Department of Mycology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, J.W. Goethe-University Frankfurt, Siesmayerstrasse 71-73, 60323 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- Biology Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala 673635, India
| | - Polona Zalar
- Biology Department, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
- Department of Mycology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, J.W. Goethe-University Frankfurt, Siesmayerstrasse 71-73, 60323 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- Biology Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala 673635, India
| | - T.K. Arun Kumar
- Biology Department, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
- Department of Mycology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, J.W. Goethe-University Frankfurt, Siesmayerstrasse 71-73, 60323 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- Biology Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala 673635, India
| | - David S. Hibbett
- Biology Department, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
- Department of Mycology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, J.W. Goethe-University Frankfurt, Siesmayerstrasse 71-73, 60323 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- Biology Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala 673635, India
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Roussel S, Reboux G, Dalphin JC, Pernet D, Laplante JJ, Millon L, Piarroux R. Farmer’s Lung Disease and Microbiological Composition of Hay: A Case–Control Study. Mycopathologia 2005; 160:273-9. [PMID: 16244894 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-005-0155-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2005] [Accepted: 09/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies performed in France have suggested that handling hay contaminated with high amounts of moulds, and especially Absidia corymbifera and Eurotium amstelodami, may favour farmer's lung disease. The circumstances favouring farmer's lung disease and the distinctive microbiological composition of hay samples that provoke attacks need to be specified. We present a case-control study which investigates the agricultural practices and the microbiological composition of hay handled in patients with farmer's lung disease as compared to those of a representative control population. Ten cases identified the hay they were handling at the onset of symptoms. The location, type of farm and working conditions were similar to those of the control farms. Conversely, the microbiological composition of hay differed, with significantly higher amounts of E. amstelodami (P < 0.01), A. corymbifera (P = 0.003), mesophilic Streptomyces (P < 0.01), thermophilic Streptomyces (P < 0.01) and Saccharomonospora viridis (P < 0.01) than in the control population. Our results demonstrate that hay identified by patients as having a harmful effect is characterized by a higher total amount of microorganisms, notably five microorganisms that seem discriminative. Mean concentrations are 2- to 115-fold higher in hay suspected to cause symptoms than in hay from a representative panel of farms. Handling hay with high amounts of these five microorganisms constitutes a risk factor for farmer's lung disease that should be considered for the development of prophylactic measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Roussel
- Department of Mycology, Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, University Hospital J. Minjoz, Boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besancon, France.
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Roussel S, Reboux G, Dalphin JC, Piarroux R. Alvéolites Allergiques Extrinsèques Et Exposition Aux Moisissures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/s0338-9898(05)80235-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Zeng QY, Westermark SO, Rasmuson-Lestander A, Wang XR. Detection and Quantification of
Wallemia sebi
in Aerosols by Real-Time PCR, Conventional PCR, and Cultivation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2004; 70:7295-302. [PMID: 15574929 PMCID: PMC535157 DOI: 10.1128/aem.70.12.7295-7302.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Wallemia
sebi
is a deuteromycete fungus commonly found in agricultural
environments in many parts of the world and is suspected to be a
causative agent of farmer's lung disease. The fungus grows slowly
on commonly used culture media and is often obscured by the
fast-growing fungi. Thus, its occurrence in different environments has
often been underestimated. In this study, we developed two sets of PCR
primers specific to
W. sebi
that can be applied in either
conventional PCR or real-time PCR for rapid detection and
quantification of the fungus in environmental samples. Both PCR systems
proved to be highly specific and sensitive for
W. sebi
detection even in a high background of other fungal DNAs. These methods
were employed to investigate the presence of
W. sebi
in the
aerosols of a farm. The results revealed a high concentration of
W.
sebi
spores, 10
7
m
−3
by real-time
PCR and 10
6
m
−3
by cultivation, which
indicates the prevalence of
W. sebi
in farms handling hay and
grain and in cow barns. The methods developed in this study could serve
as rapid, specific, and sensitive means of detecting
W. sebi
in aerosol and surface samples and could thus facilitate investigations
of its distribution, ecology, clinical diagnosis, and exposure risk
assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Yin Zeng
- National Institute for Working Life, SE-90713 Umeå, Sweden
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Zeng QY, Rasmuson-Lestander Ã, Wang XR. Extensive set of mitochondrial LSU rDNA-based oligonucleotide probes for the detection of common airborne fungi. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2004. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2004.tb09681.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Korppi M, Laitinen S, Taskinen T, Reiman M, Nevalainen A, Husman T. Mold-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in a child population. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2003; 14:371-7. [PMID: 14641607 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-3038.2003.00059.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The determination of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to molds has been used as an objective evidence of significant mold exposure. Until present, no data have been published on antibody responses to molds in healthy children living in normal housing conditions. The microbe-specific IgG antibody concentrations of 21 molds and 3 actinobacteria were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 103 1- to 6-year-old children (12.4% of the population of that age), and in 111 7- to 14-year-old school children (12.1%). The international standard sera were available, and the IgG concentrations of the test sera could be expressed in mg/l. On average, IgG concentrations increased in relation to age until the age of 6-7 years. At school age the increase still continued but more slowly. Actinobacteria were the only exceptions; all three tested strains Sreptomyces albus, S. griseus and S. halstedii resulted in rather high concentrations until 3 years of age. If the children lived in a farm, mold-specific IgG concentrations increased at an earlier age than in other children. The results between farmers' children and other children differed significantly before school age for 20 of the 24 microbes tested, the four exceptions being the 3 actinobacteria and the mold Aspergillus versicolor. The reference values must be age related, and separate references are needed for farmers' children before school age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti Korppi
- Department of Paediatrics, Kuopio University and University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
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Wu Z, Tsumura Y, Blomquist G, Wang XR. 18S rRNA gene variation among common airborne fungi, and development of specific oligonucleotide probes for the detection of fungal isolates. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003; 69:5389-97. [PMID: 12957927 PMCID: PMC194989 DOI: 10.1128/aem.69.9.5389-5397.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we sequenced 18S rRNA genes (rDNA) from 49 fungal strains representing 31 species from 15 genera. Most of these species are common airborne fungi and pathogens that may cause various public health concerns. Sequence analysis revealed distinct divergence between Zygomycota and Ascomycota. Within Ascomycota, several strongly supported clades were identified that facilitate the taxonomic placement of several little-studied fungi. Wallemia appeared as the group most diverged from all the other Ascomycota species. Based on the 18S rDNA sequence variation, 108 oligonucleotide probes were designed for each genus and species included in this study. After homology searches and DNA hybridization evaluations, 33 probes were verified as genus or species specific. The optimal hybridization temperatures to achieve the best specificity for these 33 probes were determined. These new probes can contribute to the molecular diagnostic research for environmental monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Wu
- National Institute for Working Life, SE-907 13 Umeå, Sweden
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Immonen J, Laitinen S, Taskinen T, Pekkanen J, Nevalainen A, Korppi M. Are Mold-Specific Immunoglobulin G Antibodies in Schoolchildren a Marker of Exposure and Respiratory Disease? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2002. [DOI: 10.1089/088318702320323118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Taskinen TM, Laitinen S, Nevalainen A, Vepsäläinen A, Meklin T, Reiman M, Korppi M, Husman T. Immunoglobulin G antibodies to moulds in school-children from moisture problem schools. Allergy 2002; 57:9-16. [PMID: 11991303 DOI: 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2002.13154.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of the present study was to evaluate mould-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in children exposed to moisture and mould problems in their school, and the association between IgG antibodies and mould allergy, active or passive smoking and respiratory symptoms. METHODS IgG antibodies were studied to 24 moulds in 93 children from three moisture problem schools and in 33 children from a reference school. The antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared to positive adult sera. RESULTS There were no significant differences in mould-specific IgG concentrations between exposed and non-exposed school-children. Antibodies to moulds common in moisture damaged buildings were associated with allergic diseases, as well as with mould-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) or skin prick test (SPT) findings. Aspergillus fumigatus and A. versicolor were the moulds with the most consistent findings. Active and passive smoking were associated with low levels of antibodies to many moulds. Though the association between asthma, wheezing or cough symptoms, and IgG to moulds was not significant, 7 (39%) of the 18 children with multiple (> 7) elevated IgG findings suffered from asthma or wheezing. CONCLUSIONS Allergy was, but asthma was not, associated with IgG antibodies to the moulds that can be found in moisture damaged buildings. However, no association was found between IgG antibodies to moulds and exposure to moisture and moulds in school.
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Reboux G, Piarroux R, Mauny F, Madroszyk A, Millon L, Bardonnet K, Dalphin JC. Role of molds in farmer's lung disease in Eastern France. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001; 163:1534-9. [PMID: 11401869 DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.163.7.2006077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Farmer's lung disease (FLD) is common in the east of France. In the absence of the primary recognized FLD agent, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, its etiology remains unknown. A prospective case-control study was performed to find the etiology of FLD in this area. Eleven patients were matched with 11 healthy control farmers. Twenty-two urban subjects constituted the nonexposed control group. Microorganisms from cowshed air and fodder were identified and counted. The antigens of the microorganisms most frequently isolated at the 22 farms were used for serological tests. Farms of patients with FLD contained more Absidia corymbifera than those of healthy farmers (p < 0.05 in air, p < 0.01 in fodder). Electrosyneresis, performed with A. corymbifera somatic antigen, differentiated 9 of 11 patients with FLD from control subjects (p < 0.01). Other significant results were obtained with Eurotium amstelodami (p < 0.01) and Wallemia sebi (p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant results were obtained with the other seven antigens tested, including S. rectivirgula. Absidia corymbifera and, to a lesser degree, W. sebi or E. amstelodami are likely to be the main causes of FLD in this area. Modifications in working conditions over time could explain the emergence of these new contributing etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Reboux
- Department of Mycology, University Hospital, Besançon, France
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