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Benton LD, Lopez-Galvez N, Herman C, Caporaso JG, Cope EK, Rosales C, Gameros M, Lothrop N, Martínez FD, Wright AL, Carr TF, Beamer PI. Environmental and structural factors associated with bacterial diversity in household dust across the Arizona-Sonora border. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12803. [PMID: 38834753 PMCID: PMC11150412 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63356-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that asthma prevalence was higher in the United States (US) compared to Mexico (MX) (25.8% vs. 8.4%). This investigation assessed differences in microbial dust composition in relation to demographic and housing characteristics on both sides of the US-MX Border. Forty homes were recruited in the US and MX. Home visits collected floor dust and documented occupants' demographics, asthma prevalence, housing structure, and use characteristics. US households were more likely to have inhabitants who reported asthma when compared with MX households (30% vs. 5%) and had significantly different flooring types. The percentage of households on paved roads, with flushing toilets, with piped water and with air conditioning was higher in the US, while dust load was higher in MX. Significant differences exist between countries in the microbial composition of the floor dust. Dust from Mexican homes was enriched with Alishewanella, Paracoccus, Rheinheimera genera and Intrasporangiaceae family. A predictive metagenomics analysis identified 68 significantly differentially abundant functional pathways between US and MX. This study documented multiple structural, environmental, and demographic differences between homes in the US and MX that may contribute to significantly different microbial composition of dust observed in these two countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren D Benton
- Department of Pediatrics, Steele Children's Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA.
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA.
| | - Nicolas Lopez-Galvez
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave, PO 245210, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
- San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego State University, 5250 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Chloe Herman
- Center for Applied Microbiome Science, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, 1350 S Knoles Dr, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - J Gregory Caporaso
- Center for Applied Microbiome Science, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, 1350 S Knoles Dr, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Emily K Cope
- Center for Applied Microbiome Science, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, 1350 S Knoles Dr, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Cecilia Rosales
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave, PO 245210, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Mercedes Gameros
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave, PO 245210, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Nathan Lothrop
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave, PO 245210, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Fernando D Martínez
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Anne L Wright
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Tara F Carr
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Paloma I Beamer
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave, PO 245210, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
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2
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Silva I, Miranda IM, Costa-de-Oliveira S. Potential Environmental Reservoirs of Candida auris: A Systematic Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:336. [PMID: 38786691 PMCID: PMC11122228 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, poses significant challenges in healthcare settings worldwide. Understanding its environmental reservoirs is crucial for effective control strategies. This systematic review aimed to review the literature regarding the natural and environmental reservoirs of C. auris. Following the PRISMA guidelines, published studies until October 2023 were searched in three databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Information regarding the origin, sampling procedure, methods for laboratory identification, and antifungal susceptibility was collected and analyzed. Thirty-three studies published between 2016 and 2023 in 15 countries were included and analyzed. C. auris was detected in various environments, including wastewater treatment plants, hospital patient care surfaces, and natural environments such as salt marshes, sand, seawater, estuaries, apples, and dogs. Detection methods varied, with molecular techniques often used alongside culture. Susceptibility profiles revealed resistance patterns. Phylogenetic studies highlight the potential of environmental strains to influence clinical infections. Despite methodological heterogeneity, this review provides valuable information for future research and highlights the need for standardized sampling and detection protocols to mitigate C. auris transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Silva
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Isabel M. Miranda
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Sofia Costa-de-Oliveira
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research—CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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Goray M, Taylor D, Bibbo E, Fantinato C, Fonneløp AE, Gill P, van Oorschot RAH. Emerging use of air eDNA and its application to forensic investigations - A review. Electrophoresis 2024; 45:916-932. [PMID: 38419135 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202300228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Biological material is routinely collected at crime scenes and from exhibits and is a key type of evidence during criminal investigations. Improvements in DNA technologies allow collection and profiling of trace samples, comprised of few cells, significantly expanding the types of exhibits targeted for DNA analysis to include touched surfaces. However, success rates from trace and touch DNA samples tend to be poorer compared to other biological materials such as blood. Simultaneously, there have been recent advances in the utility of environmental DNA collection (eDNA) in identification and tracking of different biological organisms and species from bacteria to naked mole rats in different environments, including, soil, ice, snow, air and aquatic. This paper examines the emerging methods and research into eDNA collection, with a special emphasis on the potential forensic applications of human DNA collection from air including challenges and further studies required to progress implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Goray
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Duncan Taylor
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Emily Bibbo
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Chiara Fantinato
- Forensic Genetics Research Group, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ane Elida Fonneløp
- Forensic Genetics Research Group, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter Gill
- Forensic Genetics Research Group, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Roland A H van Oorschot
- Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Office of Chief Forensic Scientist, Macleod, Victoria, Australia
- School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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4
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Lu Y, Duan M, Li Y, Zhang S, Hu X, Liu L. Altitude-associated trends in bacterial communities in ultrahigh-altitude residences. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 185:108503. [PMID: 38377724 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoor bacterial communities may change with altitude because their major contributors, outdoor bacterial communities, vary with altitude. People's health effects from bacteria inhalation exposure can also vary with altitude because human respiratory physiology changes with oxygen content in air. Accordingly, adjusting indoor bacterial communities may help to acclimate newcomers from low-altitude environments to ultrahigh-altitude environments. To lay the groundwork for further research, we aimed to first elucidate the bacterial communities in ultrahigh-altitude residences and the effects of altitude on these communities. We collected 187 environmental samples from residential communities at ultrahigh altitudes of 3811-4651 m in Ngari, China and sequenced bacterial 16S rRNA genes. RESULTS On one hand, when abundant genera in ultrahigh-altitude residences and those reported by previous studies on low-altitude residences were compared, nine genera were shared, whereas other five genera were abundant only at ultrahigh altitudes. On the other hand, when the bacterial communities of residences at different ultrahigh altitudes were further compared, the bacterial composition in indoor surface samples varied significantly with altitude. The relative abundance of five bacterial genera in indoor air samples and 10 genera and three phyla in indoor surface samples varied monotonically with altitude. CONCLUSIONS Altitude may be a long-neglected factor that shapes residential bacterial communities and thus warrants attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Lu
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Eco-Planning & Green Building, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mengjie Duan
- Laboratory of Eco-Planning & Green Building, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Eco-Planning & Green Building, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shengyu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiaomin Hu
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Eco-Planning & Green Building, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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5
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Hill MS, Gilbert JA. Microbiology of the built environment: harnessing human-associated built environment research to inform the study and design of animal nests and enclosures. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0012121. [PMID: 38047636 PMCID: PMC10732082 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00121-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYOver the past decade, hundreds of studies have characterized the microbial communities found in human-associated built environments (BEs). These have focused primarily on how the design and use of our built spaces have shaped human-microbe interactions and how the differential selection of certain taxa or genetic traits has influenced health outcomes. It is now known that the more removed humans are from the natural environment, the greater the risk for the development of autoimmune and allergic diseases, and that indoor spaces can be harsh, selective environments that can increase the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant and virulent phenotypes in surface-bound communities. However, despite the abundance of research that now points to the importance of BEs in determining human-microbe interactions, only a fraction of non-human animal structures have been comparatively explored. It is here, in the context of human-associated BE research, that we consider the microbial ecology of animal-built natural nests and burrows, as well as artificial enclosures, and point to areas of primary interest for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan S. Hill
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jack A. Gilbert
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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6
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Pyrri I, Stamatelopoulou A, Pardali D, Maggos T. The air and dust invisible mycobiome of urban domestic environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166228. [PMID: 37591388 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Air and dust harbor a dynamic fungal biome that interacts with residential environment inhabitants usually with negative implications for human health. Fungal air and dust synthesis were investigated in houses across the Athens Metropolitan area. Active and passive culture dependent methods were employed to sample airborne and dustborne fungi for two sampling periods, one in winter and the other in summer. A core mycobiome was revealed both in air and dust constituted of the dominant Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Alternaria and yeasts and accompanied by several common and rare components. Penicillium and Aspergillus diversity included 22 cosmopolitan species, except the rarely found Penicillium citreonigrum, P. corylophilum, P. pagulum and Talaromyces albobiverticillius which are reported for the first time from Greece. Fungal concentrations were significantly higher during summer for both air and dust. Excessive levels of inhalable aerosol constituted mainly by certain Penicillium species were associated with indoor emission sources as these species are household molds related to food commodities rot. The ambient air fungal profile is a determinant factor of indoor fungal aerosol which subsequently shapes dustborne mycobiota. Indoor fungi can be useful bioindicators for indoor environment quality and at the same time provide insight to indoor fungal ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Pyrri
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Biology, Section of Ecology and Systematics, Panepistimioupoli, 15784 Athens, Greece.
| | - Asimina Stamatelopoulou
- Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy & Safety, Atmospheric Chemistry and Innovative Technology Laboratory, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Pardali
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Physics, Section of Applied Physics, Panepistimioupoli, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Maggos
- Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy & Safety, Atmospheric Chemistry and Innovative Technology Laboratory, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, Greece
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7
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Galeana-Cadena D, Gómez-García IA, Lopez-Salinas KG, Irineo-Moreno V, Jiménez-Juárez F, Tapia-García AR, Boyzo-Cortes CA, Matías-Martínez MB, Jiménez-Alvarez L, Zúñiga J, Camarena A. Winds of change a tale of: asthma and microbiome. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1295215. [PMID: 38146448 PMCID: PMC10749662 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1295215] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the microbiome in asthma is highlighted, considering its influence on immune responses and its connection to alterations in asthmatic patients. In this context, we review the variables influencing asthma phenotypes from a microbiome perspective and provide insights into the microbiome's role in asthma pathogenesis. Previous cohort studies in patients with asthma have shown that the presence of genera such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, and Bacteroides in the gut microbiome has been associated with protection against the disease. While, the presence of other genera such as Haemophilus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Moraxella in the respiratory microbiome has been implicated in asthma pathogenesis, indicating a potential link between microbial dysbiosis and the development of asthma. Furthermore, respiratory infections have been demonstrated to impact the composition of the upper respiratory tract microbiota, increasing susceptibility to bacterial diseases and potentially triggering asthma exacerbations. By understanding the interplay between the microbiome and asthma, valuable insights into disease mechanisms can be gained, potentially leading to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Galeana-Cadena
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Itzel Alejandra Gómez-García
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Karen Gabriel Lopez-Salinas
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Valeria Irineo-Moreno
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fabiola Jiménez-Juárez
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alan Rodrigo Tapia-García
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
- Red de Medicina para la Educación, el Desarrollo y la Investigación Científica de Iztacala, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Alberto Boyzo-Cortes
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Melvin Barish Matías-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis Jiménez-Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Joaquín Zúñiga
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Angel Camarena
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología y Genética, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
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8
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Chawla H, Anand P, Garg K, Bhagat N, Varmani SG, Bansal T, McBain AJ, Marwah RG. A comprehensive review of microbial contamination in the indoor environment: sources, sampling, health risks, and mitigation strategies. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1285393. [PMID: 38074709 PMCID: PMC10701447 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1285393] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The quality of the indoor environment significantly impacts human health and productivity, especially given the amount of time individuals spend indoors globally. While chemical pollutants have been a focus of indoor air quality research, microbial contaminants also have a significant bearing on indoor air quality. This review provides a comprehensive overview of microbial contamination in built environments, covering sources, sampling strategies, and analysis methods. Microbial contamination has various origins, including human occupants, pets, and the outdoor environment. Sampling strategies for indoor microbial contamination include air, surface, and dust sampling, and various analysis methods are used to assess microbial diversity and complexity in indoor environments. The review also discusses the health risks associated with microbial contaminants, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and their products in indoor air, highlighting the need for evidence-based studies that can relate to specific health conditions. The importance of indoor air quality is emphasized from the perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic. A section of the review highlights the knowledge gap related to microbiological burden in indoor environments in developing countries, using India as a representative example. Finally, potential mitigation strategies to improve microbiological indoor air quality are briefly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitikk Chawla
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Purnima Anand
- Department of Microbiology, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Kritika Garg
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
| | - Neeru Bhagat
- Department of Microbiology, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Shivani G. Varmani
- Department of Biomedical Science, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Tanu Bansal
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Andrew J. McBain
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ruchi Gulati Marwah
- Department of Microbiology, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
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9
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Davies LR, Barbero-López A, Lähteenmäki VM, Salonen A, Fedorik F, Haapala A, Watts PC. Microbes within the building envelope-a case study on the patterns of colonization and potential sampling bias. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16355. [PMID: 38025723 PMCID: PMC10658902 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16355] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans are exposed to diverse communities of microbes every day. With more time spent indoors by humans, investigations into the communities of microbes inhabiting occupied spaces have become important to deduce the impacts of these microbes on human health and building health. Studies so far have given considerable insight into the communities of the indoor microbiota humans interact with, but mainly focus on sampling surfaces or indoor dust from filters. Beneath the surfaces though, building envelopes have the potential to contain environments that would support the growth of microbial communities. But due to design choices and distance from ground moisture, for example, the temperature and humidity across a building will vary and cause environmental gradients. These microenvironments could then influence the composition of the microbial communities within the walls. Here we present a case study designed to quantify any patterns in the compositions of fungal and bacterial communities existing in a building envelope and determine some of the key variables, such as cardinal direction, distance from floor or distance from wall joinings, that may influence any microbial community composition variation. By drilling small holes across walls of a house, we extracted microbes onto air filters and conducted amplicon sequencing. We found sampling height (distance from the floor) and cardinal direction the wall was facing caused differences in the diversity of the microbial communities, showing that patterns in the microbial composition will be dependent on sampling location within the building. By sampling beneath the surfaces, our approach provides a more complete picture of the microbial condition of a building environment, with the significant variation in community composition demonstrating a potential sampling bias if multiple sampling locations across a building are not considered. By identifying features of the built environment that promote/retard microbial growth, improvements to building designs can be made to achieve overall healthier occupied spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy R. Davies
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | | | | | - Antti Salonen
- Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Filip Fedorik
- Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Antti Haapala
- Department of Chemistry, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Phillip C. Watts
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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10
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McKenney EA, Nichols LM, Alvarado S, Hardy S, Kemp K, Polmanteer R, Shoemaker A, Dunn RR. Sourdough starters exhibit similar succession patterns but develop flour-specific climax communities. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16163. [PMID: 37810791 PMCID: PMC10559884 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16163] [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: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbial fermentation behind sourdough bread is among our oldest technologies, yet there are many opportunities for sourdough science to learn from traditional bakers. We analyzed 16S rRNA sequences in R to assess the bacterial community structure and performance of 40 starters grown from 10 types of flour over 14 days, and identified six distinct stages of succession. At each stage, bacterial taxa correlate with determinants of bread quality including pH, rise, and aromatic profile. Day 1 starter cultures were dominated by microorganisms commonly associated with plants and flour, and by aromas similar to toasted grain/cereal. Bacterial diversity peaked from days 2-6 as taxa shifted from opportunistic/generalist bacteria associated with flour inputs, toward specialized climax bacterial communities (days 10-14) characterized by acid-tolerant taxa and fruity (p < 3.03e-03), sour (p < 1.60e-01), and fermented (p < 1.47e-05) aromas. This collection of traits changes predictably through time, regardless of flour type, highlighting patterns of bacterial constraints and dynamics that are conserved across systems and scales. Yet, while sourdough climax communities exhibit similar markers of maturity (i.e., pH ≤ 4 and enriched in Lactobacillus (mean abundance 48.1%), Pediococcus (mean abundance 22.7%), and/or Gluconobacter (mean abundance 19.1%)), we also detected specific taxa and aromas associated with each type of flour. Our results address important ecological questions about the relationship between community structure and starter performance, and may enable bakers to deliberately select for specific sourdough starter and bread characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A. McKenney
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | - Lauren M. Nichols
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | - Samuel Alvarado
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, United States
- Biotechnology Program, North Carolina State University, Biotechnology-based Sequencing-based Undergraduate Research Experience (BITSURE), Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | - Shannon Hardy
- The Exploris School, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | - Kristen Kemp
- Moore Square Middle School, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | | | | | - Robert R. Dunn
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
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11
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Benton L, Lopez-Galvez N, Herman C, Caporaso G, Cope E, Rosales C, Gameros M, Lothrop N, Martínez F, Wright A, Carr T, Beamer P. Environmental and Structural Factors Associated with Bacterial Diversity in Household Dust Across the Arizona-Sonora Border. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3325336. [PMID: 37841844 PMCID: PMC10571632 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3325336/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported that asthma prevalence was higher in the United States (US) compared to Mexico (MX) (25.8% vs 8.4%). This investigation assessed differences in microbial dust composition in relation to demographic and housing characteristics on both sides of the US-MX Border. Forty homes were recruited in the US and MX. Home visits collected floor dust and documented occupants' demographics, asthma prevalence, and housing structure and use characteristics. US households were more likely to have inhabitants who reported asthma when compared with MX households (30% vs 5%) and had significantly different flooring types. The percentage of households on paved roads, with flushing toilets, with piped water and with air conditioning was higher in the US, while dust load was higher in MX. Significant differences exist between countries in the microbial composition of the floor dust. Dust from US homes was enriched with Geodermatophilus, whereas dust from Mexican homes was enriched with Alishewanella and Chryseomicrobium. A predictive metagenomics analysis identified 68 significantly differentially abundant functional pathways between US and MX. This study documented multiple structural, environmental, and demographic differences between homes in the US and MX that may contribute to significantly different microbial composition of dust observed in these two countries.
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12
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Panzer AR, Sitarik AR, Fadrosh D, Havstad SL, Jones K, Davidson B, Finazzo S, Wegienka GR, Woodcroft K, Lukacs NW, Levin AM, Ownby DR, Johnson CC, Lynch SV, Zoratti EM. The impact of prenatal dog keeping on infant gut microbiota development. Clin Exp Allergy 2023; 53:833-845. [PMID: 36916778 DOI: 10.1111/cea.14303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prenatal and early-life dog exposure has been linked to reduced childhood allergy and asthma. A potential mechanism includes altered early immune development in response to changes in the gut microbiome among dog-exposed infants. We thus sought to determine whether infants born into homes with indoor dog(s) exhibit altered gut microbiome development. METHODS Pregnant women living in homes with dogs or in pet-free homes were recruited in southeast Michigan. Infant stool samples were collected at intervals between 1 week and 18 months after birth and microbiome was assessed using 16S ribosomal sequencing. Perinatal maternal vaginal/rectal swabs and stool samples were sequenced from a limited number of mothers. Mixed effect adjusted models were used to assess stool microbial community trajectories comparing infants from dog-keeping versus pet-free homes with adjustment for relevant covariates. RESULTS Infant gut microbial composition among vaginally born babies became less similar to the maternal vaginal/rectal microbiota and more similar to the maternal gut microbiota with age-related accumulation of bacterial species with advancing age. Stool samples from dog-exposed infants were microbially more diverse (p = .041) through age 18 months with enhanced diversity most apparent between 3 and 6 months of age. Statistically significant effects of dog exposure on β-diversity metrics were restricted to formula-fed children. Across the sample collection period, dog exposure was associated with Fusobacterium genera enrichment, as well as enrichment of Collinsella, Ruminococcus, Clostridaceae and Lachnospiraceae OTUs. CONCLUSION Prenatal/early-life dog exposure is associated with an altered gut microbiome during infancy and supports a potential mechanism explaining lessened atopy and asthma risk. Further research directly linking specific dog-attributable changes in the infant gut microbiome to the risk of allergic disorders is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane R Panzer
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alexandra R Sitarik
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Doug Fadrosh
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Suzanne L Havstad
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Kyra Jones
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Brent Davidson
- Department of Women's Health, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Salvatore Finazzo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, Wyandotte, Michigan, USA
| | - Ganesa R Wegienka
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Kimberley Woodcroft
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Nicholas W Lukacs
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Albert M Levin
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Dennis R Ownby
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Christine C Johnson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Susan V Lynch
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Edward M Zoratti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Harnpicharnchai P, Pumkaeo P, Siriarchawatana P, Likhitrattanapisal S, Mayteeworakoon S, Ingsrisawang L, Boonsin W, Eurwilaichitr L, Ingsriswang S. AirDNA sampler: An efficient and simple device enabling high-yield, high-quality airborne environment DNA for metagenomic applications. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287567. [PMID: 37384659 PMCID: PMC10309600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Analyzing temporal and spatial distributions of airborne particles of biological origins is vital for the assessment and monitoring of air quality, especially with regard to public health, environmental ecology, and atmospheric chemistry. However, the analysis is frequently impeded by the low levels of biomass in the air, especially with metagenomic DNA analysis to explore diversity and composition of living organisms and their components in the air. To obtain sufficient amounts of metagenomic DNA from bioaerosols, researchers usually need a long sampling time with an expensive high-volume air sampler. This work shows the utilization of an air sampling device containing an economical, high-volume portable ventilation fan in combination with customized multi-sheet filter holders to effectively obtain high yields of genomic DNA in a relatively short time. The device, named 'AirDNA' sampler, performed better than other commercial air samplers, including MD8 Airport and Coriolis compact air samplers. Using the AirDNA sampler, an average DNA yield of 40.49 ng (12.47-23.24 ng at 95% CI) was obtained in only 1 hour of air sampling with a 0.85 probability of obtaining ≥10 ng of genomic DNA. The genomic DNA obtained by the AirDNA system is of suitable quantity and quality to be further used for amplicon metabarcoding sequencing of 16S, 18S, and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) regions, indicating that it can be used to detect various prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Our results showed the effectiveness of our AirDNA sampling apparatus with a simple setup and affordable devices to obtain metagenomic DNA for short-term or long-term spatiotemporal analysis. The technique is well suited for monitoring air in built environments, especially monitoring bioaerosols for health purposes and for fine-scale spatiotemporal environmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyanun Harnpicharnchai
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Panyapon Pumkaeo
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Paopit Siriarchawatana
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Somsak Likhitrattanapisal
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Sermsiri Mayteeworakoon
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Lily Ingsrisawang
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Worawongsin Boonsin
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Lily Eurwilaichitr
- National Energy Technology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Supawadee Ingsriswang
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
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14
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Mhuireach GÁ, Fahimipour AK, Vandegrift R, Muscarella ME, Hickey R, Bateman AC, Van Den Wymelenberg KG, Bohannan BJM. Temporary establishment of bacteria from indoor plant leaves and soil on human skin. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2022; 17:61. [PMID: 36572917 PMCID: PMC9793532 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-022-00457-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plants are found in a large percentage of indoor environments, yet the potential for bacteria associated with indoor plant leaves and soil to colonize human skin remains unclear. We report results of experiments in a controlled climate chamber to characterize bacterial communities inhabiting the substrates and leaves of five indoor plant species, and quantify microbial transfer dynamics and residence times on human skin following simulated touch contact events. Controlled bacterial propagule transfer events with soil and leaf donors were applied to the arms of human occupants and repeatedly measured over a 24-h period using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. RESULTS Substrate samples had greater biomass and alpha diversity compared to leaves and baseline skin bacterial communities, as well as dissimilar taxonomic compositions. Despite these differences in donor community diversity and biomass, we observed repeatable patterns in the dynamics of transfer events. Recipient human skin bacterial communities increased in alpha diversity and became more similar to donor communities, an effect which, for soil contact only, persisted for at least 24 h. Washing with soap and water effectively returned communities to their pre-perturbed state, although some abundant soil taxa resisted removal through washing. CONCLUSIONS This study represents an initial characterization of bacterial relationships between humans and indoor plants, which represent a potentially valuable element of biodiversity in the built environment. Although environmental microbiota are unlikely to permanently colonize skin following a single contact event, repeated or continuous exposures to indoor biodiversity may be increasingly relevant for the functioning and diversity of the human microbiome as urbanization continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwynne Á Mhuireach
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Ashkaan K Fahimipour
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Roo Vandegrift
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
- United States Department of Agriculture, APHIS, PPQ, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Mario E Muscarella
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
| | - Roxana Hickey
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Ashley C Bateman
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
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15
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Watanabe K, Yanagi U, Shiraishi Y, Harada K, Ogino F, Asano K. Bacterial Communities in Various Parts of Air-Conditioning Units in 17 Japanese Houses. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10112246. [PMID: 36422316 PMCID: PMC9697849 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HVAC systems have a significant impact on the indoor environment, and microbial contamination in HVAC systems has a significant effect on the indoor air quality. In this study, to gain a better understanding of the microbial contamination inside ACs, we used NGS to analyze the 16S rRNA gene of bacteria adhering to AC filters, cooling coils, fans, and air outlet surfaces. The five phyla in terms of the highest relative abundance were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. The surface of an AC filter provides a history of indoor airborne bacterial contamination, and of the 10 bacterial genera we detected with the highest abundance (in the following order: Pseudomonas > Staphylococcus > Paracoccus > Corynebacterium > Acinetobacter > Streptococcus > Methylobacterium > Enhydrobacter > Sphingomonas > Actinotignum) on the filter surface, the top 6 genera were Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, the seventh-most abundant genus adhering to the filter surface (Methylobacterium) was the second-most abundant genus on the cooling coil and fan, and the ninth-most abundant genus on the air filter (Sphingomonas) was the third-most abundant genus on the cooling coil. Various factors impact the bacterial flora inside AC units, including the location of the house, AC unit usage, and occupant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Watanabe
- Graduate School of Engineering, Kogakuin University, Tokyo 163 8677, Japan
| | - U Yanagi
- School of Architecture, Kogakuin University, Tokyo 163 8677, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-(03)-3340-1468
| | - Yoshiki Shiraishi
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259 1193, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Harada
- Research & Development, Duskin Co., Ltd., Osaka 564 0043, Japan
| | - Fumitoshi Ogino
- Research & Development, Duskin Co., Ltd., Osaka 564 0043, Japan
| | - Koichiro Asano
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259 1193, Japan
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16
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Hickman B, Kirjavainen PV, Täubel M, de Vos WM, Salonen A, Korpela K. Determinants of bacterial and fungal microbiota in Finnish home dust: Impact of environmental biodiversity, pets, and occupants. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1011521. [PMID: 36419417 PMCID: PMC9676251 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1011521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The indoors is where many humans spend most of their time, and are strongly exposed to indoor microbiota, which may have multifaceted effects on health. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the determinants of indoor microbiota is necessary. We collected dust samples from 295 homes of families with young children in the Helsinki region of Finland and analyzed the bacterial and fungal composition based on the 16S rRNA and ITS DNA sequences. Microbial profiles were combined with extensive survey data on family structure, daily life, and physical characteristics of the home, as well as additional external environmental information, such as land use, and vegetational biodiversity near the home. Using permutational multivariate analysis of variance we explained 18% of the variation of the relative abundance between samples within bacterial composition, and 17% of the fungal composition with the explanatory variables. The fungal community was dominated by the phyla Basidiomycota, and Ascomycota; the bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteria were dominant. The presence of dogs, multiple children, and firewood were significantly associated with both the fungal and bacterial composition. Additionally, fungal communities were associated with land use, biodiversity in the area, and the type of building, while bacterial communities were associated with the human inhabitants and cleaning practices. A distinction emerged between members of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, Ascomycota being more abundant in homes with greater surrounding natural environment, and potential contact with the environment. The results suggest that the fungal composition is strongly dependent on the transport of outdoor environmental fungi into homes, while bacteria are largely derived from the inhabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Hickman
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pirkka V. Kirjavainen
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Martin Täubel
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Willem M. de Vos
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Salonen
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katri Korpela
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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17
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A Metagenomic Investigation of Spatial and Temporal Changes in Sewage Microbiomes across a University Campus. mSystems 2022; 7:e0065122. [PMID: 36121163 PMCID: PMC9599454 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00651-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Wastewater microbial communities are not static and can vary significantly across time and space, but this variation and the factors driving the observed spatiotemporal variation often remain undetermined. We used a shotgun metagenomic approach to investigate changes in wastewater microbial communities across 17 locations in a sewer network, with samples collected from each location over a 3-week period. Fecal material-derived bacteria constituted a relatively small fraction of the taxa found in the collected samples, highlighting the importance of environmental sources to the sewage microbiome. The prokaryotic communities were highly variable in composition depending on the location within the sampling network, and this spatial variation was most strongly associated with location-specific differences in sewage pH. However, we also observed substantial temporal variation in the composition of the prokaryotic communities at individual locations. This temporal variation was asynchronous across sampling locations, emphasizing the importance of independently considering both spatial and temporal variation when assessing the wastewater microbiome. The spatiotemporal patterns in viral community composition closely tracked those of the prokaryotic communities, allowing us to putatively identify the bacterial hosts of some of the dominant viruses in these systems. Finally, we found that antibiotic resistance gene profiles also exhibit a high degree of spatiotemporal variability, with most of these genes unlikely to be derived from fecal bacteria. Together, these results emphasize the dynamic nature of the wastewater microbiome, the challenges associated with studying these systems, and the utility of metagenomic approaches for building a multifaceted understanding of these microbial communities and their functional attributes. IMPORTANCE Sewage systems harbor extensive microbial diversity, including microbes derived from both human and environmental sources. Studies of the sewage microbiome are useful for monitoring public health and the health of our infrastructure, but the sewage microbiome can be highly variable in ways that are often unresolved. We sequenced DNA recovered from wastewater samples collected over a 3-week period at 17 locations in a single sewer system to determine how these communities vary across time and space. Most of the wastewater bacteria, and the antibiotic resistance genes they harbor, were not derived from human feces, but human usage patterns did impact how the amounts and types of bacteria and bacterial genes we found in these systems varied over time. Likewise, the wastewater communities, including both bacteria and their viruses, varied depending on location within the sewage network, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in efforts to monitor and understand the sewage microbiome.
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18
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Li Z, Zheng N, An Q, Li X, Sun S, Zhang W, Ji Y, Wang S, Li P. Impact of environmental factors and bacterial interactions on dust mite allergens in different indoor dust. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157177. [PMID: 35803427 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Indoor dust is the main carrier of indoor pollutants, especially dust mite allergens and bacteria, they can trigger asthma, rhinitis, eczema and other allergic diseases. However, the interactions between dust mite allergens and bacterial communities in different types of indoor dust are not clear. The study focused on particulate and flocculent fibrous dust, explored the concentrations of Der p 1 (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and Der f 1 (D. farinae) in 46 households in Changchun and their environmental influences, characterized the bacterial communities by high-throughput sequencing, and the interactions between Der p 1, Der f 1 and bacterial communities were explored. The results showed that Der p 1 and Der f 1 tended to accumulate more in flocculent fibrous dust, and Der p 1 predominated in the indoor dust samples. The floor height, years of housing occupancy and the living areas all affected the concentrations of dust mite allergens. In bacterial community, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were leading phyla in the two types of dust. Kocuria, Blastococcus and Massilia were dominating genera in particulate dust and Acinetobacter, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium_1 were dominating genera in flocculent fibrous dust. The overall diversity and species richness of bacteria in particulate dust were significantly higher than those in flocculent dust (p < 0.001). The living area was an important environmental factor affecting the bacterial community in flocculent fibrous dust (p < 0.01). The interaction between the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and dust mite allergen concentrations significantly differed between the two dust types, indicating that bacteria could be used both as food and to establish symbiotic relationships with household dust mites (HDMs) hosts and provide nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimeng Li
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Na Zheng
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China; Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
| | - Qirui An
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Xiaoqian Li
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Siyu Sun
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yining Ji
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Sujing Wang
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Pengyang Li
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
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Fu X, Ou Z, Sun Y. Indoor microbiome and allergic diseases: From theoretical advances to prevention strategies. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (ONLINE) 2022; 1:133-146. [PMID: 38075599 PMCID: PMC10702906 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of allergic diseases, such as asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and sick building syndrome (SBS), has increased drastically in the past few decades. Current medications can only relieve the symptoms but not cure these diseases whose development is suggested to be greatly impacted by the indoor microbiome. However, no study comprehensively summarizes the progress and general rules in the field, impeding subsequent translational application. To close knowledge gaps between theoretical research and practical application, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to summarize the epidemiological, environmental, and molecular evidence of indoor microbiome studies. Epidemiological evidence shows that the potential protective indoor microorganisms for asthma are mainly from the phyla Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, and the risk microorganisms are mainly from Bacilli, Clostridia, and Bacteroidia. Due to extremely high microbial diversity and geographic variation, different health-associated species/genera are detected in different regions. Compared with indoor microbial composition, indoor metabolites show more consistent associations with health, including microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), indole derivatives, and flavonoids. Therefore, indoor metabolites could be a better indicator than indoor microbial taxa for environmental assessments and health outcome prediction. The interaction between the indoor microbiome and environmental characteristics (surrounding greenness, relative humidity, building confinement, and CO2 concentration) and immunology effects of indoor microorganisms (inflammatory cytokines and pattern recognition receptors) are briefly reviewed to provide new insights for disease prevention and treatment. Widely used tools in indoor microbiome studies are introduced to facilitate standard practice and the precise identification of health-related targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Fu
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zheyuan Ou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Shaer O, Otiono J, Qian Z, Seals A, Nov O. Remote evaluation of augmented reality interaction with personal health information. FRONTIERS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcomp.2022.934694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This article discusses novel research methods used to examine how Augmented Reality (AR) can be utilized to present “omic” (i.e., genomes, microbiomes, pathogens, allergens) information to non-expert users. While existing research shows the potential of AR as a tool for personal health, methodological challenges pose a barrier to the ways in which AR research can be conducted. There is a growing need for new evaluation methods for AR systems, especially as remote testing becomes increasingly popular. In this article, we present two AR studies adapted for remote research environments in the context of personal health. The first study (n = 355) is a non-moderated remote study conducted using an AR web application to explore the effect of layering abstracted pathogens and mitigative behaviors on a user, on perceived risk perceptions, negative affect, and behavioral intentions. This study introduces methods that address participant precursor requirements, diversity of platforms for delivering the AR intervention, unsupervised setups, and verification of participation as instructed. The second study (n = 9) presents the design and moderated remote evaluation of a technology probe, a prototype of a novel AR tool that overlays simulated timely and actionable environmental omic data in participants' living environment, which helps users to contextualize and make sense of the data. Overall, the two studies contribute to the understanding of investigating AR as a tool for health behavior and interventions for remote, at-home, empirical studies.
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21
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Minahan NT, Chen CH, Shen WC, Lu TP, Kallawicha K, Tsai KH, Guo YL. Fungal Spore Richness in School Classrooms is Related to Surrounding Forest in a Season-Dependent Manner. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022; 84:351-362. [PMID: 34498118 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01844-2] [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: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Airborne fungal spores are important aeroallergens that are remarkably diverse in terms of taxonomic richness. Indoor fungal richness is dominated by outdoor fungi and is geographically patterned, but the influence of natural landscape is unclear. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between indoor fungal spore richness and natural landscape by examining the amount of surrounding forest cover. Passive sampling of airborne fungal spores was conducted in 24 schools in Taiwan during hot and cool seasons, and amplicon sequencing was used to study fungal spore (genus) richness targeting the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region. In total, 693 fungal genera were identified, 12 of which were ubiquitous. Despite overall similarity of fungal spore richness between seasons, Basidiomycota and Ascomycota richness increased during the hot and cool seasons, respectively. Fungal spore richness in schools had a strong positive correlation with the amount of surrounding forest cover during the cool season, but not during the hot season. Fungal assemblages in schools were more similar during the hot season due to the increased ubiquity of Agaricomycetes genera. These observations indicate dispersal limitation at the kilometer scale during the cool season and increased long-distance dispersal during the hot season. Several allergenic fungi were commonly identified in schools, including some previously overlooked by conventional methods, which may be targeted as sensitizing agents in future investigations into atopic conditions. More generally, the relative importance of fungal spore richness in the development, chronicity, and severity of atopic conditions in children requires investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas T Minahan
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No.17, Xu-Zhou Rd., Taipei, 100025, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hsien Chen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University (NTU) College of Medicine and NTU Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chiang Shen
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Pin Lu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kraiwuth Kallawicha
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kun-Hsien Tsai
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No.17, Xu-Zhou Rd., Taipei, 100025, Taiwan.
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yue Leon Guo
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No.17, Xu-Zhou Rd., Taipei, 100025, Taiwan.
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University (NTU) College of Medicine and NTU Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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22
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Blachowicz A, Romsdahl J, Chiang AJ, Masonjones S, Kalkum M, Stajich JE, Torok T, Wang CCC, Venkateswaran K. The International Space Station Environment Triggers Molecular Responses in Aspergillus niger. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:893071. [PMID: 35847112 PMCID: PMC9280654 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.893071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to immense phenotypic plasticity and adaptability, Aspergillus niger is a cosmopolitan fungus that thrives in versatile environments, including the International Space Station (ISS). This is the first report of genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic alterations observed in A. niger strain JSC-093350089 grown in a controlled experiment aboard the ISS. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that ISS conditions, including microgravity and enhanced irradiation, triggered non-synonymous point mutations in specific regions, chromosomes VIII and XII of the JSC-093350089 genome when compared to the ground-grown control. Proteome analysis showed altered abundance of proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism, stress response, and cellular amino acid and protein catabolic processes following growth aboard the ISS. Metabolome analysis further confirmed that space conditions altered molecular suite of ISS-grown A. niger JSC-093350089. After regrowing both strains on Earth, production of antioxidant—Pyranonigrin A was significantly induced in the ISS-flown, but not the ground control strain. In summary, the microgravity and enhanced irradiation triggered unique molecular responses in the A. niger JSC-093350089 suggesting adaptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Blachowicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Jillian Romsdahl
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Abby J. Chiang
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Sawyer Masonjones
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Tamas Torok
- Ecology Department, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Clay C. C. Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kasthuri Venkateswaran,
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23
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Hagiuda R, Oda H, Kawakami Y, Hirose D. Species Diversity based on Revised Systematics of Xerophilic Aspergillus section Restricti Isolated from Storage Rooms and Houses in Japan. Biocontrol Sci 2022; 27:65-80. [PMID: 35753795 DOI: 10.4265/bio.27.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Eighty-seven strains of Aspergillus section Restricti were isolated from five storage rooms (50 strains) and 21 houses (37 strains) between 2014 and 2020. Eleven species were identified based on their morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny using the rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, calmodulin (CaM), β-tubulin (benA), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) sequences. A. penicillioides, which was known to cause the deterioration of cultural assets, was isolated at high frequency (73%) from the surfaces of 11 cultural assets in the storage rooms; A. clavatophorus and A. magnivesiculatus, which are closely related to A. penicillioides, were also isolated frequently (45 and 64%, respectively). Five species [A. clavatophorus (42.8%), A. penicillioides (42.8%), A. magnivesiculatus (14.3%), A. reticulatus (28.6%), and A. vitricola (28.6%)] were isolated from dust on the carpets in seven houses. Five species [A. clavatophorus (33.3%), A. penicillioides (55.5%), A. magnivesiculatus (44.4%), A. restrictus (44.4%), and A. gracilis (11.1%)] were isolated from dust on the bedding in nine houses. Using the taxonomic system described by Sklenář et al. (2017), five species (A. clavatophorus, A. magnivesiculatus, A. hordei, A. reticulatus, and A. glabripes) previously identified as A. penicillioides were confirmed as new to Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yuji Kawakami
- Department of Environmental Science and Education, Tokyo Kasei University
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24
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Lam T, Chew D, Zhao H, Zhu P, Zhang L, Dai Y, Liu J, Xu J. Species-Resolved Metagenomics of Kindergarten Microbiomes Reveal Microbial Admixture Within Sites and Potential Microbial Hazards. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:871017. [PMID: 35418963 PMCID: PMC8996153 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.871017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbiomes on surfaces in kindergartens, the intermediate transfer medium for microbial exchange, can exert significant impact on the hygiene and wellbeing of young children, both individually and as a community. Here employing 2bRAD-M, a novel species-resolved metagenomics approach for low-biomass microbiomes, we surveyed over 100 samples from seven frequently contacted surfaces by children, plus individual children’s palms, in two kindergartens. Microbiome compositions, although kindergarten-specific, were grouped closely based on the type of surface within each kindergarten. Extensive microbial admixture were found among the various sampled sites, likely facilitated by contact with children’s hands. Notably, bacterial species with potential human health concerns and potentially antibiotic-resistant, although found across all sampled locations, were predominantly enriched on children’s hands instead of on the environmental sites. This first species-resolved kindergarten microbiome survey underscores the importance of good hand hygiene practices in kindergartens and provides insights into better managing hygiene levels and minimizing spread of harmful microbes in susceptible indoor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- TzeHau Lam
- Global BioScience, Procter & Gamble Singapore Innovation Center, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dillon Chew
- Global BioScience, Procter & Gamble Singapore Innovation Center, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Helen Zhao
- Global BioScience, Procter & Gamble Singapore Innovation Center, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pengfei Zhu
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Yajie Dai
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiquan Liu
- Global BioScience, Procter & Gamble Singapore Innovation Center, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jian Xu
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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25
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Rani P, Singh N, Bhaskar M, Tandan N. Data on antibiotic resistance among indoor microbiome at Meerut, India. Bioinformation 2022; 18:293-298. [PMID: 36518135 PMCID: PMC9722420 DOI: 10.6026/97320630018293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial dynamics of the domestic environment and their antibiotic-resistant properties have been poorly characterized. We surveyed the microbial community and their antibiotic profiling located in the rural and urban areas of Meerut city, Uttar Pradesh, India. Results show that bacterial community load across all samples had more than 100-fold higher than fungal community (all p<0.05.). Based on population load, the kitchen of both rural (Fungal: 4.16±1.81 vs Bacteria: 160.5±27.13) and urban areas (Fungal: 6.2±1.02 vs Bacteria: 205.46±30.9) were more contaminated than living rooms (rural area-Fungal: 2.13±0.74 vs Bacteria: 62.17±20.68 and urban area- Fungal: 4.75±1.68 vs Bacteria: 74.88±7.53). Six bacteria, namely Pseudomonas sps; Citrobacter sps; Bacillus Subtilis; Brevundimonas diminuta; Bacillus megaterium; and Klebsiella pneumonia, showed dominance on all other bacterial and fungal sp hence, only these six bacteria were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test (AST). In AST, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus Subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, were resistant to more than three antibiotics. The most sensitive strain for Ciprofloxacin, Streptomycin was Citrobacter sp. However, Pseudomonas sp was found sensitive only to Amoxillin. Brevundimonas diminuta is found most sensitive to all antibiotics. Plasmid profiling of selected bacteria suggests that antibiotic resistance properties arose from plasmids, not genomic ones. These findings give new insights into the local-scale distribution of MDR bacteria in a household environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Rani
- Zoology Department, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, India
| | - Nouratan Singh
- Department of Physiology, UPUMS, Saifai, Etawah- 206130, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Monika Bhaskar
- School of Life Sciences, Department of Botany, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur - 495009, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Neeraj Tandan
- Scientific and Applied Research Center, Post Box No. 2241, Meerut - 250001, U.P., India
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26
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Dunn RR, Burger JR, Carlen EJ, Koltz AM, Light JE, Martin RA, Munshi-South J, Nichols LM, Vargo EL, Yitbarek S, Zhao Y, Cibrián-Jaramillo A. A Theory of City Biogeography and the Origin of Urban Species. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.761449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many of the choices humans make with regard to infrastructure, urban planning and other phenomena have impacts that will last thousands of years. This can readily be seen in modern cities in which contemporary streets run along street grids that were laid out thousands of years prior or even in which ancient viaducts still play a role. However, rarely do evolutionary biologists explicitly consider the future of life likely to be associated with the decisions we are making today. Here, we consider the evolutionary future of species in cities with a focus on the origin of lineages and species. We do so by adjusting evolutionary predictions from the theory of island biogeography so as to correspond to the unique features of cities as islands. Specifically, the species endemic to cities tend to be associated with the gray habitats in cities. Those habitats tend to be dominated by human bodies, pet bodies and stored food. It is among such species where the origin of new lineages is most likely, although most research on evolution in cities has focused on green habitats. We conclude by considering a range of scenarios for the far future and their implications for the origin of lineages and species.
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27
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Beasley DE, Monsur M, Hu J, Dunn RR, Madden AA. The bacterial community of childcare centers: potential implications for microbial dispersal and child exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2022; 17:8. [PMID: 35246271 PMCID: PMC8895594 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-022-00404-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial communities within built environments reflect differences in sources of bacteria, building design, and environmental contexts. These communities impact the health of their occupants in many ways. Children interact with the built environment differently than do adults as a result of their unique behaviors, size, and developmental status. Consequently, understanding the broader bacterial community to which children are exposed will help inform public health efforts and contribute to our growing understanding of the bacterial community associated with childcare centers. METHODS We sampled childcare centers to survey the variation in bacterial community composition across five surfaces found inside and outside twelve classrooms and six centers using 16S rRNA marker gene amplicon sequencing. We then correlated these bacterial community analyses of surfaces with environmental and demographic measures of illumination and classroom occupant density. RESULTS The childcare environment was dominated by human-associated bacteria with modest input from outdoor sources. Though the bacterial communities of individual childcare centers differed, there was a greater difference in the bacterial community within a classroom than among centers. Surface habitats-fomites-within the classroom, did not differ in community composition despite differing proximity to likely sources of bacteria, and possible environmental filters, such as light. Bacterial communities did correlate with occupant density and differed significantly between high and low usage surfaces. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest built environments inhabited by young children are similar to functionally equivalent built environments inhabited by adults, despite the different way young children engage with their environment. Ultimately, these results will be useful when further interrogating microbial dispersal and human exposure to microorganisms in built environments that specifically cater to young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Beasley
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
- Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, 37403, USA.
| | - M Monsur
- College of Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - J Hu
- College of Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - R R Dunn
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - A A Madden
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
- The Microbe Institute, Everett, MA, 02149, USA
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28
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Dockx Y, Täubel M, Bijnens EM, Witters K, Valkonen M, Jayaprakash B, Hogervorst J, Nawrot TS, Casas L. Indoor green can modify the indoor dust microbial communities. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13011. [PMID: 35347789 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the potential role of indoor plants in shaping the indoor microbiota. Within the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, we collected settled dust and performed 16S and ITS amplicon sequencing and qPCR measurements to characterize the indoor microbiota, including bacterial and fungal loads and Chao1 richness, Shannon, and Simpson diversity indices. For 155 households, we obtained information on the number of indoor plants. We performed linear regression models adjusted for several a priori chosen covariables. Overall, an increase in indoor plants and density was associated with increased microbial diversity, but not load. For example, we found an increase of 64 (95%CI:3;125) and 26 (95%CI:4;48) units of bacterial and fungal taxa richness, respectively, in households with more than three plants compared to no plants. Our results support the hypothesis that indoor plants can enrich indoor microbial diversity, while impacts on microbial loads are not obvious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinthe Dockx
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Martin Täubel
- Environmental Health Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Esmée M Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Witters
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Maria Valkonen
- Environmental Health Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Janneke Hogervorst
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lidia Casas
- Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
- Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development (IMDO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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29
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Alves VS, Salazar-Garcés LF, Santiago LF, Fonseca PLC, Fernandes AMS, Silva RC, Souza LM, Cunha PPRS, Barbosa MFC, Aguiar ERGR, Pacheco LGC, Alcantara-Neves NM, Pinheiro CS. Identification of Glycycometus malaysiensis (for the first time in Brazil), Blomia tropicalis and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus through multiplex PCR. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 86:385-406. [PMID: 35286553 PMCID: PMC8919168 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00694-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Blomia tropicalis and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus play an important role in triggering allergy. Glycycometus malaysiensis causes IgE reaction in sensitive people, but is rarely reported in domestic dust, because it is morphologically similar to B. tropicalis making the identification of these species difficult. The identification of mites is mostly based on morphology, a time-consuming and ambiguous approach. Herein, we describe a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assay based on ribosomal DNA capable to identify mixed cultures of B. tropicalis, D. pteronyssinus and G. malaysiensis, and/or to identify these species from environmental dust. For this, the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions, flanked by partial sequences of the 5.8S and 28S genes, were PCR-amplified, cloned and sequenced. The sequences obtained were aligned with co-specific sequences available in the GenBank database for primer design and phylogenetic studies. Three pairs of primers were chosen to compose the mPCR assay, which was used to verify the frequency of different mites in house dust samples (n = 20) from homes of Salvador, Brazil. Blomia tropicalis was the most frequent, found in 95% of the samples, followed by G. malaysiensis (70%) and D. pteronyssinus (60%). Besides reporting for the first time the occurrence of G. malaysiensis in Brazil, our results confirm the good resolution of the ITS2 region for mite identification. Furthermore, the mPCR assay proved to be a fast and reliable tool for identifying these mites in mixed cultures and could be applied in future epidemiological studies, and for quality control of mite extract production for general use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vítor S Alves
- Laboratory of Allergy and Acarology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/n, Vale do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-100, Brazil
- Vaccine Development Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Luis F Salazar-Garcés
- Laboratory of Allergy and Acarology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/n, Vale do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-100, Brazil
- Faculty of Health and Social Welfare, State University of Milagro, Milagro, 091050, Ecuador
| | - Leonardo F Santiago
- Laboratory of Allergy and Acarology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/n, Vale do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Paula L C Fonseca
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30270-901, Brazil
| | - Antônio M S Fernandes
- Laboratory of Allergy and Acarology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/n, Vale do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Raphael C Silva
- Laboratory of Allergy and Acarology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/n, Vale do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Lorena M Souza
- Laboratory of Allergy and Acarology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/n, Vale do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-100, Brazil
- Salvador University, Salvador, 41720-200, Brazil
| | - Pedro P R S Cunha
- Laboratory of Allergy and Acarology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/n, Vale do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Marina F C Barbosa
- Luiz de Queiroz' Higher School of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Eric R G R Aguiar
- Center of Biotechnology and Genetics, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, 45652-900, Brazil
| | - Luis G C Pacheco
- Laboratory of Allergy and Acarology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/n, Vale do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Neuza M Alcantara-Neves
- Laboratory of Allergy and Acarology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/n, Vale do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Carina S Pinheiro
- Laboratory of Allergy and Acarology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/n, Vale do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-100, Brazil.
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30
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Abstract
Many children spend considerable time in daycare centers and may be influenced by the indoor microorganisms there, including fungi. In this study, we investigate the indoor mycobiomes of 125 daycare centers distributed along strong environmental gradients throughout Norway. Dust samples were collected from doorframes outside and inside buildings using a community science sampling approach. Fungal communities in the dust samples were analyzed using DNA metabarcoding of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region. We observed a marked difference between the outdoor and indoor mycobiomes. The indoor mycobiomes included considerably more yeasts and molds than the outdoor samples, with Saccharomyces, Mucor, Malassezia, and Penicillium being among the most dominant fungal genera. Changes in the indoor fungal richness and composition correlated with numerous variables related to both outdoor and indoor conditions; there was a clear geographic structure in the indoor mycobiome composition that mirrored the outdoor climate, ranging from humid areas in western Norway to drier and colder areas in eastern Norway. Moreover, the number of children in the daycare centers, as well as various building features, influenced the indoor mycobiome composition. We conclude that the indoor mycobiomes in Norwegian daycare centers are structured by multiple factors and are dominated by yeasts and molds. This study exemplifies how community science sampling enables DNA-based analyses of a high number of samples covering wide geographic areas. IMPORTANCE With an alarming increase in chronic diseases like childhood asthma and allergies, there is an increased focus on the exposure of young children to indoor biological and chemical air pollutants. Our study of 125 daycares throughout Norway demonstrates that the indoor mycobiome not only reflects cooccurring outdoor fungi but also includes a high abundance of yeast and mold fungi with an affinity for indoor environments. A multitude of factors influence the indoor mycobiomes in daycares, including the building type, inhabitants, as well as the outdoor environment. Many of the detected yeasts and molds are likely associated with the human body, where some have been coupled with allergies and respiratory problems. Our results call for further studies investigating the potential impact of the identified daycare-associated mycobiomes on children’s health.
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31
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Pattaroni C, Macowan M, Chatzis R, Daunt C, Custovic A, Shields MD, Power UF, Grigg J, Roberts G, Ghazal P, Schwarze J, Gore M, Turner S, Bush A, Saglani S, Lloyd CM, Marsland BJ. Early life inter-kingdom interactions shape the immunological environment of the airways. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:34. [PMID: 35189979 PMCID: PMC8862481 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01201-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that the airway microbiome plays a key role in the establishment of respiratory health by interacting with the developing immune system early in life. While it has become clear that bacteria are involved in this process, there is a knowledge gap concerning the role of fungi. Moreover, the inter-kingdom interactions that influence immune development remain unknown. In this prospective exploratory human study, we aimed to determine early post-natal microbial and immunological features of the upper airways in 121 healthy newborns. RESULTS We found that the oropharynx and nasal cavity represent distinct ecological niches for bacteria and fungi. Breastfeeding correlated with changes in microbiota composition of oropharyngeal samples with the greatest impact upon the relative abundance of Streptococcus species and Candida. Host transcriptome profiling revealed that genes with the highest expression variation were immunological in nature. Multi-omics factor analysis of host and microbial data revealed unique co-variation patterns. CONCLUSION These data provide evidence of a diverse multi-kingdom microbiota linked with local immunological characteristics in the first week of life that could represent distinct trajectories for future respiratory health. TRIAL REGISTRATION NHS Health Research Authority, IRAS ID 199053. Registered 5 Oct 2016. https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/application-summaries/research-summaries/breathing-together/ Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Pattaroni
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matthew Macowan
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Roxanne Chatzis
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Carmel Daunt
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Adnan Custovic
- Imperial Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michael D. Shields
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Ultan F. Power
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Jonathan Grigg
- Centre for Child Health, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Graham Roberts
- Human Development in Health School, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
- David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight UK
| | - Peter Ghazal
- School of Medicine, Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jürgen Schwarze
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Child Life and Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mindy Gore
- Imperial Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Steve Turner
- Child Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Andrew Bush
- Imperial Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sejal Saglani
- Imperial Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Clare M. Lloyd
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Abstract
The composition of airborne microflora in sawmills may vary to a great degree depending on the kind of timber being processed and the technology of production being used. Cases of allergy alveolitis and asthma have been reported in woodworkers who were exposed to wood dust largely infected with microorganisms. The aim of this review article is to identify studies where the microbial occupational exposure assessment was performed in sawmills and the characteristics of the contamination found, as well as to identify which sampling methods and assays were applied. This study reports the search of available data published regarding microbial occupational exposure assessment in environmental samples from sawmills, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) methodology. The most used sampling method was air sampling, impaction being the most common method. Regarding analytical procedures for microbial characterization, morphological identification of fungi and bacteria was the most frequent approach. Screening for fungal susceptibility to azoles was performed in two studies and four studies applied molecular tools. Regarding microbial contamination, high fungal levels were frequent, as well as high bacteria levels. Fungal identification evidenced Penicillium as the most frequent genera followed by Aspergillus sp. Mycotoxins were not assessed in any of the analyzed studies. Microbial occupational exposure assessment in sawmills is crucial to allow this risk characterization and management.
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Ferguson PL, Commodore S, Neelon B, Cobbs J, Sciscione AC, Grobman WA, Newman RB, Tita AT, Nageotte MP, Palomares K, Skupski DW, Vena JE, Hunt KJ. Early Exposure to Animals and Childhood Body Mass Index Percentile and Percentage Fat Mass. CHILD AND ADOLESCENT OBESITY (ABINGDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 5:3-15. [PMID: 35128342 PMCID: PMC8813042 DOI: 10.1080/2574254x.2021.2021788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A few studies have identified childhood animal exposure as associated with adiposity, but results are inconsistent and differ in timing. METHODS We conducted an observational cohort study of children ages 4-8 in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes [ECHO] study. The main exposure was having a dog in the home and/or regular contact with farm animals during the first year of life. Outcomes of interest were child BMI percentile (adjusted for gender and age) categorized as normal/underweight (<85th percentile), overweight (85th to <95th), and obese (≥95th), and percent fat mass (continuous). Associations were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression and multivariable linear regression, respectively, with and without multiple imputation. RESULTS First year animal exposure occurred in 245 of 770 (31.8%) children. Children with early animal exposure had 0.53 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.997) times the odds of being in the obese BMI category compared to those exposed to animals after controlling for covariates: maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, race/ethnicity, reported child activity level, receiving food assistance, age child began daycare (<1 year vs 1+), exclusively breastfed x6 months, and NICU admission (n=721). Children with early animal exposure had, on average, 1.5% (95% CI: -3.0, -0.1) less fat mass than exposed children after adjustment for maternal BMI, race/ethnicity, activity, food assistance, breastfeeding, and maternal education (n=548). Multiple imputation did not alter either result. CONCLUSION These results provide evidence that exposure to dogs or farm animals in the first year of life is associated with lower odds of obesity and lower percent fat mass in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela L. Ferguson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Sarah Commodore
- School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
| | - Brian Neelon
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - JacKetta Cobbs
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Anthony C. Sciscione
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE
| | - William A. Grobman
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Roger B. Newman
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Alan T. Tita
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Michael P. Nageotte
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach, CA
| | - Kristy Palomares
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Daniel W. Skupski
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, New York Presbyterian Queens Hospital, Queens, NY
| | - John E. Vena
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Kelly J. Hunt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
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Estensmo ELF, Morgado L, Maurice S, Martin-Sanchez PM, Engh IB, Mattsson J, Kauserud H, Skrede I. Spatiotemporal variation of the indoor mycobiome in daycare centers. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:220. [PMID: 34753520 PMCID: PMC8576891 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01167-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children spend considerable time in daycare centers in parts of the world and are exposed to the indoor micro- and mycobiomes of these facilities. The level of exposure to microorganisms varies within and between buildings, depending on occupancy, climate, and season. In order to evaluate indoor air quality, and the effect of usage and seasonality, we investigated the spatiotemporal variation in the indoor mycobiomes of two daycare centers. We collected dust samples from different rooms throughout a year and analyzed their mycobiomes using DNA metabarcoding. RESULTS The fungal community composition in rooms with limited occupancy (auxiliary rooms) was similar to the outdoor samples, and clearly different from the rooms with higher occupancy (main rooms). The main rooms had higher abundance of Ascomycota, while the auxiliary rooms contained comparably more Basidiomycota. We observed a strong seasonal pattern in the mycobiome composition, mainly structured by the outdoor climate. Most markedly, basidiomycetes of the orders Agaricales and Polyporales, mainly reflecting typical outdoor fungi, were more abundant during summer and fall. In contrast, ascomycetes of the orders Saccharomycetales and Capnodiales were dominant during winter and spring. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide clear evidences that the indoor mycobiomes in daycare centers are structured by occupancy as well as outdoor seasonality. We conclude that the temporal variability should be accounted for in indoor mycobiome studies and in the evaluation of indoor air quality of buildings. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Lena F. Estensmo
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Luis Morgado
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 Leiden, CR Netherlands
| | - Sundy Maurice
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Pedro M. Martin-Sanchez
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Håvard Kauserud
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Inger Skrede
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
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35
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Madden AA, Lahue C, Gordy CL, Little JL, Nichols LM, Calvert MD, Dunn RR, Smukowski Heil C. Sugar-seeking insects as a source of diverse bread-making yeasts with enhanced attributes. Yeast 2021; 39:108-127. [PMID: 34687090 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects represent a particularly interesting habitat in which to search for novel yeasts of value to industry. Insect-associated yeasts have the potential to have traits relevant to modern food and beverage production due to insect-yeast interactions, with such traits including diverse carbohydrate metabolisms, high sugar tolerance, and general stress tolerance. Here, we consider the potential value of insect-associated yeasts in the specific context of baking. We isolated 63 yeast strains from 13 species of hymenoptera from the United States, representing 37 yeast species from 14 genera. Screening for the ability to ferment maltose, a sugar important for bread production, resulted in the identification of 13 strains of Candida, Lachancea, and Pichia species. We assessed their ability to leaven dough. All strains produced baked loaves comparable to a commercial baking strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The same 13 strains were also grown under various sugar and salt conditions relevant to osmotic challenges experienced in the manufacturing processes and the production of sweet dough. We show that many of these yeast strains, most notably strains of Lachancea species, grow at a similar or higher rate and population size as commercial baker's yeast. We additionally assessed the comparative phenotypes and genetics of insect-associated S. cerevisiae strains unable to ferment maltose and identified baking-relevant traits, including variations in the HOG1 signaling pathway and diverse carbohydrate metabolisms. Our results suggest that non-conventional yeasts have high potential for baking and, more generally, showcase the success of bioprospecting in insects for identifying yeasts relevant for industrial uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne A Madden
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.,The Microbe Institute, Everett, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Caitlin Lahue
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.,University of North Carolina Chapel-Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Claire L Gordy
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joy L Little
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lauren M Nichols
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Martha D Calvert
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Robert R Dunn
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Caiti Smukowski Heil
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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36
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Zhang L, Ou C, Magana-Arachchi D, Vithanage M, Vanka KS, Palanisami T, Masakorala K, Wijesekara H, Yan Y, Bolan N, Kirkham MB. Indoor Particulate Matter in Urban Households: Sources, Pathways, Characteristics, Health Effects, and Exposure Mitigation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:11055. [PMID: 34769574 PMCID: PMC8582694 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air with varying size, shape, and chemical composition which intensifies significant concern due to severe health effects. Based on the well-established human health effects of outdoor PM, health-based standards for outdoor air have been promoted (e.g., the National Ambient Air Quality Standards formulated by the U.S.). Due to the exchange of indoor and outdoor air, the chemical composition of indoor particulate matter is related to the sources and components of outdoor PM. However, PM in the indoor environment has the potential to exceed outdoor PM levels. Indoor PM includes particles of outdoor origin that drift indoors and particles that originate from indoor activities, which include cooking, fireplaces, smoking, fuel combustion for heating, human activities, and burning incense. Indoor PM can be enriched with inorganic and organic contaminants, including toxic heavy metals and carcinogenic volatile organic compounds. As a potential health hazard, indoor exposure to PM has received increased attention in recent years because people spend most of their time indoors. In addition, as the quantity, quality, and scope of the research have expanded, it is necessary to conduct a systematic review of indoor PM. This review discusses the sources, pathways, characteristics, health effects, and exposure mitigation of indoor PM. Practical solutions and steps to reduce exposure to indoor PM are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Intelligent and New Energy Materials, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China;
- School of Health, Jiangsu Food & Pharmaceutical Science College, Huai’an 223003, China
| | - Changjin Ou
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Intelligent and New Energy Materials, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China;
| | - Dhammika Magana-Arachchi
- Molecular Microbiology and Human Diseases Project, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka; (D.M.-A.); (M.V.)
| | - Meththika Vithanage
- Molecular Microbiology and Human Diseases Project, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka; (D.M.-A.); (M.V.)
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Kanth Swaroop Vanka
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia;
| | - Thava Palanisami
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia;
| | - Kanaji Masakorala
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara 80000, Sri Lanka;
| | - Hasintha Wijesekara
- Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya 70140, Sri Lanka;
| | - Yubo Yan
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Environment Functional Materials, Huaiyin Normal University, Huai’an 223300, China
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6001, Australia;
| | - M. B. Kirkham
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA;
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Kumar P, Kausar MA, Singh AB, Singh R. Biological contaminants in the indoor air environment and their impacts on human health. AIR QUALITY, ATMOSPHERE, & HEALTH 2021; 14:1723-1736. [PMID: 34394766 PMCID: PMC8346343 DOI: 10.1007/s11869-021-00978-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Indoor air environment contains a complex mixture of biological contaminants such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae, insects, and their by-products such as endotoxins, mycotoxins, volatile organic compounds, etc. Biological contaminants have been categorized according to whether they are allergenic, infectious, capable of inducing toxic or inflammatory responses in human beings. At present, there is a lack of awareness about biological contamination in the indoor environment and their potential sources for the spreading of various infections. Therefore, this review article examines the association of biological contaminants with human health, and it will also provide in-depth knowledge of various biological contaminants present in different places such as residential areas, hospitals, offices, schools, etc. Moreover, qualitative and quantitative data of bio-contaminants in various indoor environments such as schools, hospitals, residential houses, etc. have also been derived from the recent literature survey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar
- Department of Environmental Studies, Satyawati College, University of Delhi, Ashok Vihar III, Delhi-52, India
| | - Mohd. Adnan Kausar
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - A. B. Singh
- CSIR- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi University Campus, Delhi-07, India
| | - Rajeev Singh
- Department of Environmental Studies, Satyawati College, University of Delhi, Ashok Vihar III, Delhi-52, India
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38
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Ye J, Qian H, Zhang J, Sun F, Zhuge Y, Zheng X. Combining culturing and 16S rDNA sequencing to reveal seasonal and room variations of household airborne bacteria and correlative environmental factors in nanjing, southeast china. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1095-1108. [PMID: 33655612 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to bioaerosols poses important health effects on occupants. To elucidate seasonal and room variations of household airborne bacteria, this study investigated 30 residential homes during summer and winter throughout Nanjing, Southeast China, with a humid subtropical climate. Culturing and 16S rDNA sequencing methods were combined in this study. Results showed that the community structure and composition in the same season but different homes show similarity, however, they in the same home but in different seasons show a huge difference, with Sphingomonas (25.3%), Clostridium (14.8%), and Pseudomonas (7.6%) being the dominant bacteria in summer, and Pseudomonas (57.1%) was dominant bacteria in winter. Culturable concentrations of bacteria were also significantly higher in summer (854 ± 425 CFU/m3 ) than in winter (231 ± 175 CFU/m3 ), but difference by home or room was relatively minor. More than 80% of culturable bacteria (<4.7 μm) could penetrate into lower respiratory tract. The seasonal variations of bacterial community and concentrations were closely associated with seasonal variations of temperature, humidity, and PM2.5 . Higher concentrations and larger sizes were observed in the bathroom and kitchen, typically with higher humidity than other rooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ye
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center for Building Energy Environment & Equipments, Ministry of Education, China
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, USA
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center for Building Energy Environment & Equipments, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Jianshun Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, USA
| | - Fan Sun
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center for Building Energy Environment & Equipments, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Yang Zhuge
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center for Building Energy Environment & Equipments, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Xiaohong Zheng
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Solar Energy Science and Technology, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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39
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Martin-Sanchez PM, Estensmo ELF, Morgado LN, Maurice S, Engh IB, Skrede I, Kauserud H. Analysing indoor mycobiomes through a large-scale citizen science study in Norway. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:2689-2705. [PMID: 33830574 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In the built environment, fungi can cause important deterioration of building materials and have adverse health effects on occupants. Increased knowledge about indoor mycobiomes from different regions of the world, and their main environmental determinants, will enable improved indoor air quality management and identification of health risks. This is the first citizen science study of indoor mycobiomes at a large geographical scale in Europe, including 271 houses from Norway and 807 dust samples from three house compartments: outside of the building, living room and bathroom. The fungal community composition determined by DNA metabarcoding was clearly different between indoor and outdoor samples, but there were no significant differences between the two indoor compartments. The 32 selected variables, related to the outdoor environment, building features and occupant characteristics, accounted for 15% of the overall variation in community composition, with the house compartment as the key factor (7.6%). Next, climate was the main driver of the dust mycobiomes (4.2%), while building and occupant variables had significant but minor influences (1.4% and 1.1%, respectively). The house-dust mycobiomes were dominated by ascomycetes (⁓70%) with Capnodiales and Eurotiales as the most abundant orders. Compared to the outdoor samples, the indoor mycobiomes showed higher species richness, which is probably due to the mixture of fungi from outdoor and indoor sources. The main indoor indicator fungi belonged to two ecological groups with allergenic potential: xerophilic moulds and skin-associated yeasts. Our results suggest that citizen science is a successful approach for unravelling the built microbiome at large geographical scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Martin-Sanchez
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eva-Lena F Estensmo
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Luis N Morgado
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sundy Maurice
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Inger Skrede
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Håvard Kauserud
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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40
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Pernat N, Kampen H, Jeschke JM, Werner D. Buzzing Homes: Using Citizen Science Data to Explore the Effects of Urbanization on Indoor Mosquito Communities. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12050374. [PMID: 33919337 PMCID: PMC8143366 DOI: 10.3390/insects12050374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Urbanization has been associated with a loss of overall biodiversity and a simultaneous increase in the abundance of a few species that thrive in urban habitats, such as highly adaptable mosquito vectors. To better understand how mosquito communities differ between levels of urbanization, we analyzed mosquito samples from inside private homes submitted to the citizen science project 'Mückenatlas'. Applying two urbanization indicators based on soil sealing and human population density, we compared species composition and diversity at, and preferences towards, different urbanization levels. Species composition between groups of lowest and highest levels of urbanization differed significantly, which was presumably caused by reduced species richness and the dominance of synanthropic mosquito species in urban areas. The genus Anopheles was frequently submitted from areas with a low degree of urbanization, Aedes with a moderate degree, and Culex and Culiseta with a high degree of urbanization. Making use of citizen science data, this first study of indoor mosquito diversity in Germany demonstrated a simplification of communities with increasing urbanization. The dominance of vector-competent species in urban areas poses a potential risk of epidemics of mosquito-borne diseases that can only be contained by a permanent monitoring of mosquitoes and by acquiring a deeper knowledge about how anthropogenic activities affect vector ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Pernat
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany;
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1–3, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2–4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Jonathan M. Jeschke
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1–3, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2–4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany;
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2–4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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Bacterial Contamination in Health Care Centers: Differences between Urban and Rural Settings. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12040450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to assess the airborne bioburden of rural and urban Portuguese Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) using active and passive sampling methods and identify the potential differences in airborne microbiota between both environments. The highest total aerobic mesophilic bacterial load in indoor air were found in the Vaccination Room (448 CFU.m−3) in the Rural PHCC and in the Waiting Room (420 CFU.m−3) for Urban PHCC. The total coliforms contamination level in indoor air was detected only in the Cleaning Supplies Room (4 CFU.m−3) in the Urban PHCC. The most frequent bacteria genera identified was Micrococcus (21% Rural PHCC; 31% Urban PHCC). The surface samples showed a highest total aerobic mesophilic bacterial contamination in the Treatment Room (86 × 103 CFU.m−2) from the Rural PHCC and in the Front Office (200 × 103 CFU.m−2) from the Urban PHCC. The electrostatic dust cloth (EDC) samples showed a highest bacterial load in the Urban PHCC. Total aerobic mesophilic bacterial load in settled dust and in the Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) filter samples in the Urban PHCC (8 CFU.g−1 and 6 × 103 CFU.m−2) presented higher values compared with the Rural PHCC (1 CFU.g−1 and 2.5 × 103 CFU.m−2). Urban PHCC presented higher bacterial airborne contamination compared with the Rural PHCC for the majority of sampling sites, and when compared with the indoor air quality (IAQ) Portuguese legislation it was the Rural PHCC in two sampling places who did not comply with the established criteria.
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42
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Jacquet A. Characterization of Innate Immune Responses to House Dust Mite Allergens: Pitfalls and Limitations. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2021; 2:662378. [PMID: 35386970 PMCID: PMC8974781 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2021.662378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Whereas house dust mite (HDM) allergy results from a dysregulated Th2-biased adaptive immune response, activation of innate immune signaling pathways is a critical prerequisite for the initiation of HDM sensitizations. Such innate sensing is mainly controlled by the airway epithelium and the skin. The resulting release of epithelial-derived proinflammatory cytokines and innate alarmins such as GM-CSF, IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP mediates the activation of ILC2 cells and cDCs to promote Th2-biased inflammation. Significant progress in the elucidation of HDM innate immune activation has been made in the past decade and highlighted key roles of the LPS/TLR4 axis, chitin-dependent pathways together with HDM protease allergens. However, the precise mechanisms by which HDM allergens are sensed by the innate immune system remain largely unknown. Such investigations are made difficult for several reasons. Among these are (1) the natural association of HDM allergens with immunostimulators from the mite exoskeleton as well as from environmental microorganisms/pollutants or endosymbiotic bacteria; (2) the purification of individual HDM allergens from extracts in sufficient amounts and devoid of any microbial and protein impurities; (3) the production of correctly folded recombinant HDM allergens which could display the same biological activity than their natural counterparts; (4) the accessibility to human epithelial samples with cellular heterogeneities and inter-donor variations; (5) the translation of experimental data from mouse models to humans is almost missing. The goal of the present mini-review is to emphasize some important limitations and pitfalls in the elucidation of innate immunostimulatory properties of HDM allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Jacquet
- *Correspondence: Alain Jacquet ; orcid.org/0000-0002-0980-9741
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Associations between dog keeping and indoor dust microbiota. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5341. [PMID: 33674692 PMCID: PMC7935950 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84790-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Living with dogs appears to protect against allergic diseases and airway infections, an effect possibly linked with immunomodulation by microbial exposures associated with dogs. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of dog ownership on house dust microbiota composition. The bacterial and fungal microbiota was characterized with Illumina MiSeq sequencing from floor dust samples collected from homes in a Finnish rural-suburban (LUKAS2, N = 182) birth cohort, and the results were replicated in a German urban (LISA, N = 284) birth cohort. Human associated bacteria variable was created by summing up the relative abundances of five bacterial taxa. Bacterial richness, Shannon index and the relative abundances of seven bacterial genera, mostly within the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, were significantly higher in the dog than in the non-dog homes, whereas the relative abundance of human associated bacteria was lower. The results were largely replicated in LISA. Fungal microbiota richness and abundance of Leucosporidiella genus were higher in dog homes in LUKAS2 and the latter association replicated in LISA. Our study confirms that dog ownership is reproducibly associated with increased bacterial richness and diversity in house dust and identifies specific dog ownership-associated genera. Dogs appeared to have more limited influence on the fungal than bacterial indoor microbiota.
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MYERS NIRMALAT, Calderón L, Pavilonis B, Wang Z, Xiong Y, Sorensen-Allacci M, Plotnik D, Senick J, Gong J, Krogmann U, Andrews CJ, Mainelis G. Presence and variability of culturable bioaerosols in three multi-family apartment buildings with different ventilation systems in the Northeastern US. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:502-523. [PMID: 32931080 PMCID: PMC7904568 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12743] [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: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bioaerosol concentrations in residential buildings located in the Northeastern US have not been widely studied. Here, in 2011-2015, we studied the presence and seasonal variability of culturable fungi and bacteria in three multi-family apartment buildings and correlated the bioaerosol concentrations with building ventilation system types and environmental parameters. A total of 409 indoor and 86 outdoor samples were taken. Eighty-five percent of investigated apartments had indoor-outdoor (I/O) ratios of culturable fungi below 1, suggesting minimal indoor sources of fungi. In contrast, 56% of the apartments had I/O ratios for culturable bacteria above 1, indicating the prominence of indoor sources of bacteria. Culturable fungi I/O ratios in apartments serviced by central heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system were lower than those in apartments with window AC. The type of ventilation system did not have a significant effect on the presence of indoor culturable bacteria. A significant positive association was determined between indoor dew point (DP) levels and indoor culturable fungi (P < .001) and bacteria (P < .001), regardless of ventilation type. Also, residents in apartments with central HVAC did not experience extreme DP values. We conclude that building ventilation systems, seasonality, and indoor sources are major factors affecting indoor bioaerosol levels in residential buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- NIRMALA T. MYERS
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Leonardo Calderón
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Brian Pavilonis
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Zuocheng Wang
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Youyou Xiong
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - MaryAnn Sorensen-Allacci
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Deborah Plotnik
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jennifer Senick
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jie Gong
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Uta Krogmann
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Clinton J. Andrews
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Gediminas Mainelis
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Viegas C, Almeida B, Monteiro A, Paciência I, Rufo JC, Carolino E, Quintal-Gomes A, Twarużek M, Kosicki R, Marchand G, Aranha Caetano L, Viegas S. Settled dust assessment in clinical environment: useful for the evaluation of a wider bioburden spectrum. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2021; 31:160-178. [PMID: 31240954 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1634799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The collection and analysis of settled dust samples from indoor environments has become one of several environmental sampling methods used to assess bioburden indoors. The aim of the study was to characterize the bioburden in vacuumed settled dust from 10 Primary Health Care Centers by culture based and molecular methods. Results for bacterial load ranged from 1 to 12 CFU.g-1 of dust and Gram-negative bacteria ranged between 1 to 344 CFU.g-1 of dust. Fungal load ranged from 0 CFU.g-1 of dust to uncountable. Aspergillus section Fumigati was detected in 4 sampling sites where culture base-methods could not identify this section. Mucorales (Rhizopus sp.) was observed on 1 mg/L voriconazole. Three out of 10 settled dust samples were contaminated by mycotoxins. Settled dust sampling coupled with air sampling in a routine way might provide useful information about bioburden exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Almeida
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Monteiro
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Paciência
- Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto , Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciência e Inovação em Engenharia Mecânica e Engenharia Industrial , Porto, Portugal
| | - João Cavaleiro Rufo
- Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto , Porto, Portugal
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto , Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Carolino
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anita Quintal-Gomes
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon Institute of Molecular Medicine , Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Magdalena Twarużek
- Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Biology , Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Robert Kosicki
- Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Biology , Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Geneviéve Marchand
- Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et sécurité du travail , Montréal, Canada
| | - Liliana Aranha Caetano
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon , Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal
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Andersen B, Frisvad JC, Dunn RR, Thrane U. A Pilot Study on Baseline Fungi and Moisture Indicator Fungi in Danish Homes. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020071. [PMID: 33498446 PMCID: PMC7909426 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In many complaint cases regarding bad indoor environments, there is no evidence of visible fungal growth. To determine if the problems are fungi-related, dust sampling is the method of choice among building surveyors. However, there is a need to differentiate between species belonging to a normal, dry indoor environment and species belonging to a damp building envelope. The purposes of this pilot study were to examine which fungal species are present in problem-free Danish homes and to evaluate different detection and identification methods. Analyses showed that the fungal diversity outside was different from the diversity inside and that the composition of fungal species growing indoors was different compared to those found as spores, both indoors and outdoors. Common for most homes were Pseudopithomyceschartarum, Cladosporiumallicinum and Alternaria sect. Infectoriae together with Botrytis spp., Penicilliumdigitatum and Pen. glabrum. The results show that ITS sequencing of dust samples is adequate if supported by thorough building inspections and that food products play as large a role in the composition of the baseline spora as the outdoor air and surrounding vegetation. This pilot study provides a list of baseline fungal species found in Danish homes with a good indoor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte Andersen
- Division of Energy Efficiency, Indoor Climate and Sustainability of Buildings, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, DK-2450 Copenhagen SV, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-9940-2312
| | - Jens C. Frisvad
- Section for Synthetic Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 221, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Robert R. Dunn
- Department of Applied Ecology, Campus Box 7617, NC State University Campus, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617, USA;
| | - Ulf Thrane
- Wood and Biomaterials, Building and Construction, Danish Technological Institute, Gregersensvej 1, DK-2630 Taastrup, Denmark;
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Sibanda T, Selvarajan R, Ogola HJ, Obieze CC, Tekere M. Distribution and comparison of bacterial communities in HVAC systems of two university buildings: Implications for indoor air quality and public health. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:47. [PMID: 33415530 PMCID: PMC7790485 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08823-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The installation of HVAC systems in building is meant to enhance indoor air quality as well as increase comfort to occupants. However, HVAC systems have also become a vehicle of contamination of indoor air with potentially pathogenic microorganisms. DNA was extracted from ten HVAC filter dust samples collected from two buildings and subjected to high throughput sequencing analysis to determine the bacterial community structure. Further, the Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2) software was used to predict the potential functional capabilities of the bacterial communities. Sequencing analysis led to the identification of five major bacterial phyla, including Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. At genus level, Mycobacterium, Bacillus, Cupriavidus, Hyphomicrobium and Mesorhizobium were the most dominant. With the exception of the later two bacterial genera, the first three are potential pathogens whose presence in HVAC systems poses a significant public health risk, especially among immunocompromised individuals. Nine pathways associated with antibiotics resistance and bacterial pathogenicity were identified, including polymyxin resistance and peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathways. Further, investigation of the relationship between the detected bacterial meta-communities and predicted potential virulence factors (antibiotic resistance and pathogenic genes) led to the detection of 350 positive associations among 43 core bacteria, 2 pathogenic genes (sitA and uidA) and 14 resistance genes. Overall, the heterogeneous nature of microorganisms found in HVAC systems observed in this study shows that HVAC systems are the origin of airborne infections in indoor environments, and must be periodically cleaned and disinfected to avoid the build-up of pathogens, and the subsequent exposure of human occupants of these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Sibanda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Namibia, Mandume Ndemufayo Ave, Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia.
| | - Ramganesh Selvarajan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UNISA, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Henry Jo Ogola
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UNISA, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Research, Innovation and Technology, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Bondo, Kenya
| | | | - Memory Tekere
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UNISA, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Viegas C, Dias M, Monteiro A, Faria T, Lage J, Carolino E, Caetano LA, Gomes AQ, Almeida SM, Verde SC, Belo J, Canha N. Bioburden in sleeping environments from Portuguese dwellings. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 273:116417. [PMID: 33465652 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A wider characterization of indoor air quality during sleep is still lacking in the literature. This study intends to assess bioburden before and after sleeping periods in Portuguese dwellings through active methods (air sampling) coupled with passive methods, such as electrostatic dust cloths (EDC); and investigate associations between before and after sleeping and bioburden. In addition, and driven by the lack of information regarding fungi azole-resistance in Portuguese dwellings, a screening with supplemented media was also performed. The most prevalent genera of airborne bacteria identified in the indoor air of the bedrooms were Micrococcus (41%), Staphylococcus (15%) and Neisseria (9%). The major indoor bacterial species isolated in all ten studied bedrooms were Micrococcus luteus (30%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%) and Micrococcus varians (11%). Our results highlight that our bodies are the source of the majority of the bacteria found in the indoor air of our homes. Regarding air fungal contamination, Chrysosporium spp. presented the highest prevalence both in after the sleeping period (40.8%) and before the sleeping period (28.8%) followed by Penicillium spp. (23.47% morning; 23.6% night) and Chrysonilia spp. (12.4% morning; 20.3% night). Several Aspergillus sections were identified in air and EDC samples. However, none of the fungal species/strains (Aspergillus sections Fumigati, Flavi, Nidulantes and Circumdati) were amplified by qPCR in the analyzed EDC. The correlations observed suggest reduced susceptibility to antifungal drugs of some fungal species found in sleeping environments. Toxigenic fungal species and indicators of harmful fungal contamination were observed in sleeping environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de, Lisboa, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de, Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Portugal.
| | - Marta Dias
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Monteiro
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago Faria
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066, Bobadela-LRS, Portugal
| | - Joana Lage
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066, Bobadela-LRS, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Carolino
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Liliana Aranha Caetano
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de, Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anita Quintal Gomes
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de, Lisboa, Portugal; University of Lisbon Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Marta Almeida
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066, Bobadela-LRS, Portugal
| | - Sandra Cabo Verde
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066, Bobadela-LRS, Portugal
| | - Joana Belo
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de, Lisboa, Portugal; Integrated Pathophysiological Mechanisms Research Group (CEDOC) - NMS-UNL, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nuno Canha
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066, Bobadela-LRS, Portugal; Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Xie W, Li Y, Bai W, Hou J, Ma T, Zeng X, Zhang L, An T. The source and transport of bioaerosols in the air: A review. FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2021; 15:44. [PMID: 33589868 PMCID: PMC7876263 DOI: 10.1007/s11783-020-1336-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent pandemic outbreak of the corona-virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has raised widespread concerns about the importance of the bioaerosols. They are atmospheric aerosol particles of biological origins, mainly including bacteria, fungi, viruses, pollen, and cell debris. Bioaerosols can exert a substantial impact on ecosystems, climate change, air quality, and public health. Here, we review several relevant topics on bioaerosols, including sampling and detection techniques, characterization, effects on health and air quality, and control methods. However, very few studies have focused on the source apportionment and transport of bioaerosols. The knowledge of the sources and transport pathways of bioaerosols is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the role microorganisms play in the atmosphere and control the spread of epidemic diseases associated with them. Therefore, this review comprehensively summarizes the up to date progress on the source characteristics, source identification, and diffusion and transport process of bioaerosols. We intercompare three types of diffusion and transport models, with a special emphasis on a widely used mathematical model. This review also highlights the main factors affecting the source emission and transport process, such as biogeographic regions, land-use types, and environmental factors. Finally, this review outlines future perspectives on bioaerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Xie
- School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054 China
| | - Yanpeng Li
- School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054 China
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region (Ministry of Education), Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054 China
| | - Wenyan Bai
- School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054 China
| | - Junli Hou
- School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054 China
| | - Tianfeng Ma
- School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054 China
| | - Xuelin Zeng
- School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054 China
| | - Liyuan Zhang
- School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054 China
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region (Ministry of Education), Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054 China
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environment Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
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Cavaleiro Rufo J, Paciência I, Hoffimann E, Moreira A, Barros H, Ribeiro AI. The neighbourhood natural environment is associated with asthma in children: A birth cohort study. Allergy 2021; 76:348-358. [PMID: 32654186 DOI: 10.1111/all.14493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A lower exposure to the natural environment has been hypothesized to adversely affect the human microbiome and its immunomodulatory capacity. However, the underlying effects of this hypothesis are still not understood. We aimed to evaluate the effect of early-life exposure to greenness and species richness on the development of allergic diseases and asthma in children. METHODS A longitudinal study was conducted comprising 1050 children from a population-based birth cohort recruited in Portugal. Residential normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and species richness index (SRI) were assessed at baseline to estimate their association with allergic diseases and asthma at the ages of 4 and 7. RESULTS Significant predisposing associations were observed between the exposure to species richness at baseline and the onset of asthma and wheezing at the age of 7. Children living in neighbourhoods surrounded by high levels of SRI were at a significantly higher risk developing allergic sensitization(OR [95% CI] = 2.00 [1.04:3.86] at age 4; 2.35 [1.20:4.63] at age 7). Living surrounded by greener environments was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of asthma and rhinitis at the age of 7(0.41 [0.18:0.97] and 0.37 [0.15:0.93], respectively). CONCLUSIONS Living in close proximity to a greener environment at birth has a protective effect on the development of allergic diseases and asthma at the age of 7. Conversely, living in neighbourhoods with a high number of fauna species appears to be associated with a higher risk for allergy, asthma and wheezing.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Cavaleiro Rufo
- EPIUnit Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - Inês Paciência
- EPIUnit Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - Elaine Hoffimann
- EPIUnit Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - André Moreira
- EPIUnit Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - Henrique Barros
- EPIUnit Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - Ana Isabel Ribeiro
- EPIUnit Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
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