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Kofoed VC, Campion C, Rasmussen PU, Møller SA, Eskildsen M, Nielsen JL, Madsen AM. Exposure to resistant fungi across working environments and time. Sci Total Environ 2024; 923:171189. [PMID: 38447726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Antifungal resistance has emerged as a significant health concern with increasing reports of resistant variants in previously susceptible species. At present, little is known about occupational exposure to antifungal-resistant fungi. This study aimed to investigate Danish workers' occupational exposure to airborne fungi resistant to first-line treatment drugs. A retrospective study was performed on a unique collection of personal exposure samples gathered over a twenty-year period from Danish working environments, in sectors including agriculture, animal handling, waste management, and healthcare. A total of 669 samples were cultivated at 37 °C and fungal colonies were identified using MALDI-TOF MS. Subsequently, identification was confirmed by amplicon sequencing the genes of calmodulin and beta-tubulin to unveil potential cryptic species. Infectious fungi (495 isolates from 23 species) were tested for resistance against Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole, and Amphotericin B. Working environments were highly variable in the overall fungal exposure, and showed vastly different species compositions. Resistance was found in 30 isolates of the species Aspergillus fumigatus (4 of 251 isolates), A. nidulans (2 of 13), A. niger complex (19 of 131), A. versicolor (3 of 18), and A. lentulus (2 of 2). Sequence analysis revealed several cryptic species within the A. niger complex including A. tubingensis, A. luchuensis, and A. phoenicis. Among the resistant A. fumigatus isolates, two contained the well-described TR34/L98H mutation in the cyp51A gene and promoter region, while the remainder harbored silent mutations. The results indicate that the working environment significantly contributes to exposure to resistant fungi, with particularly biofuel plant workers experiencing high exposure. Differences in the prevalence of resistance across working environments may be linked to the underlying species composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Carp Kofoed
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Christopher Campion
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Pil Uthaug Rasmussen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Signe Agnete Møller
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark; Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Mathias Eskildsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Jeppe Lund Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Anne Mette Madsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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Maule M, Vitte J, Ambrosani F, Caminati M. Epidemiology of the relationship between allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and asthma. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 24:102-108. [PMID: 38295145 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) can complicate the natural history of asthmatic patients, especially the more severe ones, worsening disease control and increasing the need for therapies, steroids in particular, and medical care. The aim of the present review is to summarize the latest epidemiological data related to the relationship between asthma and ABPA and to offer a summary of the most recent strategies that could potentially facilitate in the identification of ABPA in asthmatic patients. RECENT FINDINGS In the last years, great efforts have been made by researchers worldwide to provide reliable epidemiological data on fungal sensitization and ABPA, especially in severe asthma patients both in adult and pediatric population. Data differ depending on the geographical area and population studied, but pooled data show a concerning 11% of severe asthma patients having ABPA and one out of four asthmatic patients being sensitized to fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus in particular. SUMMARY Reliable epidemiological data and advances in the diagnostic procedures can facilitate the detection of ABPA among asthmatic patients, improving the management of a still under-recognized and challenging condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Maule
- Asthma Center and Allergy Unit, Center for Hyper-eosinophilic dysimmune conditions, Integrated University Hospital of Verona
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Joana Vitte
- University Hospital of Reims, Laboratory of Immunology
- INSERM UMR-S 1250 P3CELL, University of Reims, Reims, France
| | | | - Marco Caminati
- Asthma Center and Allergy Unit, Center for Hyper-eosinophilic dysimmune conditions, Integrated University Hospital of Verona
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Berni Canani R, Caminati M, Carucci L, Eguiluz-Gracia I. Skin, gut, and lung barrier: Physiological interface and target of intervention for preventing and treating allergic diseases. Allergy 2024. [PMID: 38439599 DOI: 10.1111/all.16092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
The epithelial barriers of the skin, gut, and respiratory tract are critical interfaces between the environment and the host, and they orchestrate both homeostatic and pathogenic immune responses. The mechanisms underlying epithelial barrier dysfunction in allergic and inflammatory conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, food allergy, eosinophilic oesophagitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and asthma, are complex and influenced by the exposome, microbiome, individual genetics, and epigenetics. Here, we review the role of the epithelial barriers of the skin, digestive tract, and airways in maintaining homeostasis, how they influence the occurrence and progression of allergic and inflammatory conditions, how current treatments target the epithelium to improve symptoms of these disorders, and what the unmet needs are in the identification and treatment of epithelial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Berni Canani
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Caminati
- Allergy Unit and Asthma Centre, Verona Integrated University Hospital and Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Carucci
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ibon Eguiluz-Gracia
- Allergy Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario de Malága, Malaga, Spain
- Allergy Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA)-BIONAND Platform, RICORS Inflammatory Diseases, Malaga, Spain
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Letovsky S, Robinson M, Kwong K, Liu AH, Sullivan A, Valcour A. Assessing the contributions of phylogenetic and environmental determinants of allergic cosensitization to fungi in humans. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2024; 132:208-215.e1. [PMID: 37898326 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding how allergies to 1 environmental fungus can lead to cosensitization to related fungi is important for the clinical management of allergies. Cosensitization can be caused by monosensitization combined with antibody cross-reactivity, or by coexposures driving independent sensitizations. A pioneering study showed that patterns of IgE cosensitization among 17 fungal species mirror fungal phylogeny. This could reflect either epitope or habitat similarity. Thanks to an improved understanding of fungal phylogeny, larger serologic testing datasets, and environmental data on household fungi, we can now characterize the relationship between cosensitization, species similarity, and likely coexposure with greater precision. OBJECTIVE To assess the degree to which IgE cosensitization in a group of 17 fungi can be attributed to species similarity or environmental coexposure. METHODS Cosensitization patterns among 17 fungal species were estimated from a dataset of approximately 8 million serologic tests on 1.6 million patients. Linear regression of cosensitization on phylogenetic distance and imputed coexposure was performed. In addition, branch lengths for the phylogenetic tree were re-estimated on the basis of cosensitization and compared with corresponding phylogenetic branch lengths. RESULTS Phylogenetic distance explains much of the observed cosensitization (adjusted r2 = .68, p < .001). Imputed environmental coexposures and test co-ordering patterns do not significantly predict cosensitization. Branch length comparisons between the cosensitization and phylogenetic trees identified several species as less cosensitizing than phylogenetic distance predicts. CONCLUSION Combined evidence from clinical IgE testing data on fungi, along with phylogenetic and environmental exposure data, supports the hypothesis that cosensitization is caused primarily by monosensitization plus cross-reactivity, rather than multisensitization. A serologic test result should be interpreted as pointing to a group of related species that include the sensitizing agent rather than as uniquely identifying the agent. The identified patterns of cross-reactivity may help optimize test panel design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kenny Kwong
- Division of Allergy-Immunology LAC+USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Andrew H Liu
- Pediatric Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Section, and Breathing Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
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Giusti D, Perotin JM, Vitte J. Toward a much-needed coming of age: Diagnosis of allergic sensitization to fungi. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2024; 132:113-114. [PMID: 38309946 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Giusti
- Immunology Laboratory, Biology and Pathology Department, University Hospital of Reims, Reims, France; EA7509 IRMAIC, University of Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Jeanne-Marie Perotin
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospital of Reims, Reims, France; INSERM UMR 1250, University of Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Joana Vitte
- Immunology Laboratory, Biology and Pathology Department, University Hospital of Reims, Reims, France; INSERM UMR 1250, University of Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France.
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Lam HCY, Anees-Hill S, Satchwell J, Symon F, Macintyre H, Pashley CH, Marczylo EL, Douglas P, Aldridge S, Hansell A. Association between ambient temperature and common allergenic pollen and fungal spores: A 52-year analysis in central England, United Kingdom. Sci Total Environ 2024; 906:167607. [PMID: 37806575 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to pollen and fungal spores can trigger asthma/allergic symptoms and affect health. Rising temperatures from climate change have been associated with earlier seasons and increasing intensity for some pollen, with weaker evidence for fungal spores. It is unclear whether climate change has resulted in changes in the exposure-response function between temperature and pollen/fungal spore concentrations over time. This study examined associations between temperature and pollen/fungal spores in different time periods and assessed potential adaptation using the longest pollen/fungal spore dataset in existence (52 years). Daily concentrations of pollen (birch and grass) and fungal spores (Cladosporium, Alternaria, Sporobolomyces and Tilletiopsis) collected between April and October from Derby (1970-2005) and Leicester (2006-2021), UK, were analysed. Cumulative seasonal concentrations (seasonal integral) and start-of-season were calculated and linked to seasonal mean temperatures (Tmeans) using generalized additive models. Daily concentrations were evaluated against daily Tmean with distributed lagged nonlinear models. Models were adjusted for precipitation, relative humidity, long-term trend and location. Seasonal and daily analyses were respectively stratified into two periods (1970-1995, 1997-2021) and five decades. Warmer seasonal Tmeans were associated with higher seasonal integral for birch, Cladosporium and Alternaria, as well as earlier start-of-season for birch, grass and Cladosporium. There were indications of changing associations with temperature in the recent decades. A warmer January was associated with higher seasonal integral for grass in 1997-2021, but not in 1970-1995. In 2000-2021, daily concentrations of birch pollen tended to remain at higher levels, vs. decrease during 1990s, when Tmean was between 13 and 15 °C. Our study suggests higher temperatures experienced in recent decades are associated with higher overall abundance of some pollen/fungal spores, which may increase future disease burdens of allergies. The changing responses of some pollen to higher temperatures over time may indicate adaptation to increasing temperatures and should be considered in climate change mitigation and adaptation planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly C Y Lam
- Air Quality and Public Health, UK Health Security Agency, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR, United Kingdom.
| | - Samuel Anees-Hill
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom; Toxicology, UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health at the University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Jack Satchwell
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Fiona Symon
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Helen Macintyre
- Centre for Climate and Health Security, UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom; School of Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Catherine H Pashley
- Department of Respiratory Science, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Emma L Marczylo
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom; Toxicology, UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health at the University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Philippa Douglas
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom; Toxicology, UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom; Chief Scientist's Group, Environment Agency, Red Kite House, Benson Lane, Wallingford OX10 8BD, United Kingdom; Air Quality and Public Health, UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Stuart Aldridge
- Air Quality and Public Health, UK Health Security Agency, East Midlands, Seaton House, City Link, London Road, Nottingham NG2 4LA, United Kingdom.
| | - Anna Hansell
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health at the University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom; NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, United Kingdom.
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Grewling Ł, Ribeiro H, Antunes C, Apangu GP, Çelenk S, Costa A, Eguiluz-Gracia I, Galveias A, Gonzalez Roldan N, Lika M, Magyar D, Martinez-Bracero M, Ørby P, O'Connor D, Penha AM, Pereira S, Pérez-Badia R, Rodinkova V, Xhetani M, Šauliene I, Skjøth CA. Outdoor airborne allergens: Characterization, behavior and monitoring in Europe. Sci Total Environ 2023; 905:167042. [PMID: 37709071 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Aeroallergens or inhalant allergens, are proteins dispersed through the air and have the potential to induce allergic conditions such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. Outdoor aeroallergens are found predominantly in pollen grains and fungal spores, which are allergen carriers. Aeroallergens from pollen and fungi have seasonal emission patterns that correlate with plant pollination and fungal sporulation and are strongly associated with atmospheric weather conditions. They are released when allergen carriers come in contact with the respiratory system, e.g. the nasal mucosa. In addition, due to the rupture of allergen carriers, airborne allergen molecules may be released directly into the air in the form of micronic and submicronic particles (cytoplasmic debris, cell wall fragments, droplets etc.) or adhered onto other airborne particulate matter. Therefore, aeroallergen detection strategies must consider, in addition to the allergen carriers, the allergen molecules themselves. This review article aims to present the current knowledge on inhalant allergens in the outdoor environment, their structure, localization, and factors affecting their production, transformation, release or degradation. In addition, methods for collecting and quantifying aeroallergens are listed and thoroughly discussed. Finally, the knowledge gaps, challenges and implications associated with aeroallergen analysis are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Grewling
- Laboratory of Aerobiology, Department of Systematic and Environmental Botany, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Helena Ribeiro
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto and Earth Sciences Institute (ICT), Portugal
| | - Celia Antunes
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development & ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | | | - Sevcan Çelenk
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Ana Costa
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development & ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | - Ibon Eguiluz-Gracia
- Allergy Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario de Malaga, Malaga 29010, Spain
| | - Ana Galveias
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development & ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | - Nestor Gonzalez Roldan
- Group of Biofunctional Metabolites and Structures, Priority Research Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Borstel, Germany; Pollen Laboratory, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mirela Lika
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Donát Magyar
- National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Pia Ørby
- Department of Environmental Science, Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA) Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David O'Connor
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin D09 E432, Ireland
| | - Alexandra Marchã Penha
- Water Laboratory, School of Sciences and Technology, ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora. 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | - Sónia Pereira
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto and Earth Sciences Institute (ICT), Portugal
| | - Rosa Pérez-Badia
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | | | - Merita Xhetani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
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Fang H, Li J, Ren L, Liu E. Age-related differences in IgE between childhood and adulthood allergic asthma: Analysis of NHANES 2005-2006. World Allergy Organ J 2023; 16:100842. [PMID: 38213391 PMCID: PMC10782400 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2023.100842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Asthma exhibits varying clinical features in children and adults. However, previous studies have mainly focused on the clinical significance of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, disregarding the characteristics of IgE and its relevant factors. Objective This study aimed to gain a better understanding of the differences in the characteristics of IgE between childhood and adulthood allergic asthma (AA). Methods Patients with AA from the 2005 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were divided into 3 groups based on their current age and onset age of AA: childhood AA (Group 1), childhood-onset adult AA (Group 2), and adulthood-onset AA (Group 3). Intragroup analysis and intergroup comparison were carried out, focusing on the characteristics and relevant factors of IgE, as well as the clinical relevance of total IgE (total IgE, tIgE) and allergen-specific IgE (allergen-specific IgE, sIgE). Results A total of 424 patients were analyzed, including 187 with childhood AA, 132 with childhood-onset adult AA, and 105 with adulthood-onset AA. The concentration of tIgE was found to be higher in Group 1 (268.0, 118.0-686.0 kU/L) than in Group 2 (224.0, 78.0-494.0 kU/L) and Group 3 (165.0, 74.4-350.5 kU/L). The sensitization rates did not differ between Group 1 and Group 2 but were higher compared with Group 3, particularly for Alternaria-sIgE (50.3% and 46.2% vs 15.2%) and Aspergillus-sIgE (43.9% and 37.1% vs 16.2%). In Group 1, there was a negative correlation between pollen-sIgEs and indoor allergens, but this correlation was not commonly observed in Group 2 and Group 3. On the other hand, in Group 1, environmental chemicals such as phthalates, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, trihalomethanes, and phenols showed a positive correlation with IgE. However, a greater number of chemicals was observed in Group 2 and Group 3, including cotinine, metals, trihalomethanes, phthalates, phenols, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Furthermore, in Group 1, IgE was positively correlated with asthma-related issues such as emergency visits, absenteeism, limited activities, and medication needs. These correlations were less common in Group 2 and Group 3, particularly in Group 3. Conclusions There are notable differences in the characteristics and environmental factors of IgE among childhood AA, childhood-onset adult AA, and adulthood-onset AA. Additionally, IgE plays a more significant role in childhood AA due to its higher concentration, fewer relevant environmental chemicals and greater clinical relevance. This may partially explain the age-related features of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luo Ren
- Corresponding author. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China.
| | - Enmei Liu
- Corresponding author. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China.
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Deligios M, Mazzarello V, Fiamma M, Barac A, Diana L, Ferrari M, Murgia M, Paglietti B, Rubino S. Seasonal Variation in Fungi in Beach Sand in Summertime: Stintino (Italy). Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:7134. [PMID: 38063564 PMCID: PMC10706741 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20237134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to monitor the microbial biodiversity in beach sand that is heavily visited by tourists during the summer, and to determinate whether the high presence of bathers (around 5000 per day) can modify sand microbial composition. METHODS Between 2016 and 2020, 150 sand samples were collected from nine different points at La Pelosa beach in Sardinia, Italy. Non-culturing methods were used; DNA extraction and meta-barcode sequencing were performed. All samples were analyzed with sequencing methods for 16S and ITS sequences. RESULTS Fungal genera differ on the three beaches and in the winter/summer zones. The ITS sequence showed the most common presence of Candida during summer and Paradendryphiella in the winter. The greatest diversity was found in the dune during winter, while in other parts of the beach, there are differences between bacteria and fungi, particularly in the wash zone during the winter, with high diversity for 16S sequences but low diversity for ITS sequences. CONCLUSIONS It appears reasonable that the sands, even on non-urban beaches, should be included in health monitoring programs in addition to the waters, and that access to them should be regulated by limiting the number of bathers with the aim of reducing the presence of pathogenic fungal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Deligios
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Vittorio Mazzarello
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Maura Fiamma
- Laboratorio Analisi, Ospedale “San Francesco”, ASSL Nuoro, 08100 Sardinia, Italy;
| | - Aleksandra Barac
- Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Lorenzo Diana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Marco Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Manuela Murgia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Bianca Paglietti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Salvatore Rubino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
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Górzyńska A, Grzech A, Mierzwiak P, Ussowicz M, Biernat M, Nawrot U. Quantitative and Qualitative Airborne Mycobiota Surveillance in High-Risk Hospital Environment. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041031. [PMID: 37110454 PMCID: PMC10147027 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The primary aim of the presented study was to assess the prevalence of fungi in the indoor air of selected hospital wards, and the additional goal was to evaluate the susceptibility of cultured isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus to triazoles. (2) Methods: Three hematology departments and a hospital for lung diseases were surveyed in 2015 and/or 2019. Air samples were taken with a MicroBio MB1 air sampler on Sabouraud agar. The susceptibility of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates to voriconazole, posaconazole and itraconazole was tested with a microdilution method, according to EUCAST. (3) Results: The amount of fungi cultured from rooms equipped with sterile air circulation, as well as flow devices for air disinfection, was significantly lower compared to that from unprotected rooms. The areas most contaminated with fungi were corridors and bathrooms. The dominant species were Cladosporium and Penicillium. A. fumigatus was rare in hematological departments (6/61, 9.8% examinations performed in 2014 and 2/40, 5% in 2019), whereas in the hospital for lung diseases an outbreak of A. fumigatus spores with up to 300 CFU/m3 was noted in March 2015. No triazole-resistant A. fumigatus isolate was detected. (4) Conclusions: Regular microbiological testing of the hospital environment can contribute to the detection of spore outbreaks, and thus enable the implementation of corrective procedures (e.g., additional disinfection, changing of HEPA filters).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Górzyńska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213a, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aneta Grzech
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213a, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Mierzwiak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213a, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek Ussowicz
- Department of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Haematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Supraregional Centre of Paediatric Oncology "Cape of Hope", 50-556 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Monika Biernat
- Department of Haematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Urszula Nawrot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213a, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
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Rao WQ, Lin Z, Jiang J, Wang JW, Lin ZF, Fu R, Chen WL, Chen YM, Peng XE, Hu ZJ. Esophageal mycobiome landscape and interkingdom interactions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2023; 11:goad022. [PMID: 37124071 PMCID: PMC10147516 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/goad022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The study purpose was to characterize the mycobiome and its associations with the expression of pathogenic genes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Patients with primary ESCC were recruited from two central hospitals. We performed internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) ribosomal DNA sequencing analysis. We compared differential fungi and explored the ecology of fungi and the interaction of bacteria and fungi. Results The mycobiota diversity was significantly different between tumors and tumor-adjacent samples. We further analysed the differences between the two groups, at the species level, confirming that Rhodotorula toruloides, Malassezia dermatis, Hanseniaspora lachancei, and Spegazzinia tessarthra were excessively colonized in the tumor samples, whereas Preussia persica, Fusarium solani, Nigrospora oryzae, Acremonium furcatum, Golovinomyces artemisiae, and Tausonia pullulans were significantly more abundant in tumor-adjacent samples. The fungal co-occurrence network in tumor-adjacent samples was larger and denser than that in tumors. Similarly, the more complex bacterial-fungal interactions in tumor-adjacent samples were also detected. The expression of mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase was positively correlated with the abundance of N. oryzae and T. pullulans in tumor-adjacent samples. In tumors, the expression of MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) had a negative correlation and a positive correlation with the abundance of R. toruloides and S. tessarthra, respectively. Conclusion This study revealed the landscape of the esophageal mycobiome characterized by an altered fungal composition and bacterial and fungal ecology in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jian Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Medical University Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment Factors and Cancer, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
- Department of Medical Services, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Wen Wang
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, Anxi County Hospital, Anxi, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Feng Lin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Medical University Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment Factors and Cancer, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Medical University Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment Factors and Cancer, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Lin Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Yuan-Mei Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital Affiliation to Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Xian-E Peng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Medical University Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment Factors and Cancer, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Jian Hu
- Corresponding author. Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment Factors and Cancer, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China. Tel: +86-591-83383362; Fax: +86-591-22862510;
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