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Dawrs SN, Virdi R, Norton GJ, Elias T, Hasan NA, Robinson S, Matriz J, Epperson LE, Glickman CM, Beagle S, Crooks JL, Nelson ST, Chan ED, Damby DE, Strong M, Honda JR. Hawaiian Volcanic Ash, an Airborne Fomite for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. Geohealth 2024; 8:e2023GH000889. [PMID: 38161597 PMCID: PMC10757267 DOI: 10.1029/2023gh000889] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmentally acquired opportunistic pathogens that can cause chronic lung disease. Within the U.S., Hawai'i shows the highest prevalence rates of NTM lung infections. Here, we investigated a potential role for active volcanism at the Kīlauea Volcano located on Hawai'i Island in promoting NTM growth and diversity. We recovered NTM that are known to cause lung disease from plumbing biofilms and soils collected from the Kīlauea environment. We also discovered viable Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium abscessus, and Mycobacterium intracellulare subsp. chimaera on volcanic ash collected during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Analysis of soil samples showed that NTM prevalence is positively associated with bulk content of phosphorus, sulfur, and total organic carbon. In growth assays, we showed that phosphorus utilization is essential for proliferation of Kīlauea-derived NTM, and demonstrate that NTM cultured with volcanic ash adhere to ash surfaces and remain viable. Ambient dust collected on O'ahu concurrent with the 2018 eruption contained abundant fresh volcanic glass, suggestive of inter-island ash transport. Phylogenomic analyses using whole genome sequencing revealed that Kīlauea-derived NTM are genetically similar to respiratory isolates identified on other Hawaiian Islands. Consequently, we posit that volcanic eruptions could redistribute environmental microorganisms over large scales. While additional studies are needed to confirm a direct role of ash in NTM dispersal, our results suggest that volcanic particulates harbor and can redistribute NTM and should therefore be studied as a fomite for these burgeoning, environmentally acquired respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ravleen Virdi
- Center for GenesEnvironmentand HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
- Now at Corgenix Medical CorporationBroomfieldCOUSA
| | - Grant J. Norton
- Center for GenesEnvironmentand HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
- Now at University of CaliforniaSan DiegoCAUSA
| | - Tamar Elias
- U.S. Geological SurveyVolcano Science CenterHawaiian Volcano ObservatoryHiloHawai'iUSA
| | - Nabeeh A. Hasan
- Center for GenesEnvironmentand HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
| | - Schuyler Robinson
- Department of Geological SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUTUSA
- Now at GSI EnvironmentalHoustonTXUSA
| | - Jobel Matriz
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Hawai'i ManoaHonoluluHawai'iUSA
- Now at National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | | | - Cody M. Glickman
- Center for GenesEnvironmentand HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
- Now at EndolytixBeverlyMEUSA
| | - Sean Beagle
- Center for GenesEnvironmentand HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
- Now at Lockheed MartinKing of PrussiaPAUSA
| | - James L. Crooks
- Division of Biostatistics and BioinformaticsNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyColorado School of Public HealthAuroraCOUSA
| | | | - Edward D. Chan
- Medicine and Academic AffairsNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care MedicineUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraCOUSA
- Department of MedicineRocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical CenterAuroraCOUSA
| | - David E. Damby
- U.S. Geological SurveyVolcano Science CenterMenlo ParkCAUSA
| | - Michael Strong
- Center for GenesEnvironmentand HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
| | - Jennifer R. Honda
- Center for GenesEnvironmentand HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at TylerTylerTXUSA
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Dawrs SN, Virdi R, Islam MN, Hasan NA, Norton GJ, Crooks JL, Parr J, Heinz D, Cool CD, Belisle JT, Chan ED, Honda JR. Immunological and metabolic characterization of environmental Mycobacterium chimaera infection in a murine model. Microbes Infect 2023; 25:105184. [PMID: 37453489 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105184] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium chimaera causes pulmonary disease, but little is known of gradations in isolate virulence. Previously, 17 M. chimaera isolates were screened for survival in THP1 macrophages. "M. chimaera 1" was categorized as "more virulent" because it showed the greatest survival in macrophages, whereas "M. chimaera 2" was categorized as "less virulent" with reduced survival. Herein, we infected C3HeB/FeJ mice to compare the in vivo immune responses to M. chimaera 1 and 2. Unlike macrophages, significantly lower M. chimaera 1 counts were recovered from mouse lung tissue and BAL cells with less lung histopathologic changes compared to M. chimaera 2. Compared to M. chimaera 2, significantly more IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα was produced early after M. chimaera 1 infection. LC-MS metabolomics analyses of BAL fluid revealed divergence in sphingolipid, phospholipid metabolism between M. chimaera 1 versus M. chimaera 2 mice. From pan-GWAS analyses, virulence and organizing DNA/molecular structure genes were associated with more virulent M. chimaera isolates. Vigorous lung-specific immune responses to M. chimaera 1 may influence effective bacterial control, but for a different isolate M. chimaera 2, subvert immune control. Continued studies of the gradations in virulence among the same NTM species will advance our understanding of NTM pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie N Dawrs
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, CO, United States.
| | - Ravleen Virdi
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, CO, United States.
| | - M Nurul Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Nabeeh A Hasan
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, CO, United States
| | - Grant J Norton
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, CO, United States.
| | - James L Crooks
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, National Jewish Health, Colorado, United States; Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Jane Parr
- Division of Pathology and Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, CO, United States
| | - David Heinz
- Division of Pathology and Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, CO, United States
| | - Carlyne D Cool
- Division of Pathology and Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, CO, United States; Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, CO, United States
| | - John T Belisle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Edward D Chan
- Department of Medicine and Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States; Division of Pulmonary Science and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States; Department of Medicine, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Jennifer R Honda
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, TX, United States.
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Hendrix J, Epperson LE, Tong EI, Chan YL, Hasan NA, Dawrs SN, Norton GJ, Virdi R, Crooks JL, Chan ED, Honda JR, Strong M. Complete genome assembly of Hawai'i environmental nontuberculous mycobacteria reveals unexpected co-isolation with methylobacteria. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291072. [PMID: 37703253 PMCID: PMC10499228 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291072] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous environmental opportunistic pathogens that can cause chronic lung disease. Within the United States, Hawai'i has the highest incidence of NTM lung disease, though the precise reasons are yet to be fully elucidated. One possibility is the high prevalence of NTM in the Hawai'i environment acting as a potential reservoir for opportunistic NTM infections. Through our previous initiatives to collect and characterize NTM in Hawai'i, community scientists of Hawai'i have collected thousands of environmental samples for sequencing. Here, these community scientists were invited for the first time into a high school lab in O'ahu for a genomic sequencing workshop, where participants sequenced four of the collected isolate genomic samples using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencer. Participants generated high quality long read data that when combined with short read Illumina data yielded complete bacterial genomic assemblies suitable for in-depth analysis. The gene annotation analysis identified a suite of genes that might help NTM thrive in the Hawai'i environment. Further, we found evidence of co-occurring methylobacteria, revealed from the sequencing data, suggesting that in some cases methylobacteria and NTM may coexist in the same niche, challenging previously accepted paradigms. The sequencing efforts presented here generated novel insights regarding the potential survival strategies and microbial interactions of NTM in the geographic hot spot of Hawai'i. We highlight the contributions of community scientists and present an activity that can be reimplemented as a workshop or classroom activity by other research groups to engage their local communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Hendrix
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States of America
- Computational Bioscience Program, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - L. Elaine Epperson
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Eric I. Tong
- ‘Iolani School, Honolulu, Hawai’i, United States of America
| | - Yvonne L. Chan
- ‘Iolani School, Honolulu, Hawai’i, United States of America
| | - Nabeeh A. Hasan
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Stephanie N. Dawrs
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Grant J. Norton
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Ravleen Virdi
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - James L. Crooks
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Edward D. Chan
- Department of Medicine and Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States of America
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Jennifer R. Honda
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX, United States of America
| | - Michael Strong
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States of America
- Computational Bioscience Program, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States of America
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Moyne O, Al-Bassam M, Lieng C, Thiruppathy D, Norton GJ, Kumar M, Haddad E, Zaramela LS, Zengler K. Guild and Niche Determination Enable Targeted Alteration of the Microbiome. bioRxiv 2023:2023.05.11.540389. [PMID: 37214910 PMCID: PMC10197622 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.11.540389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Microbiome science has greatly contributed to our understanding of microbial life and its essential roles for the environment and human health1-5. However, the nature of microbial interactions and how microbial communities respond to perturbations remains poorly understood, resulting in an often descriptive and correlation-based approach to microbiome research6-8. Achieving causal and predictive microbiome science would require direct functional measurements in complex communities to better understand the metabolic role of each member and its interactions with others. In this study we present a new approach that integrates transcription and translation measurements to predict competition and substrate preferences within microbial communities, consequently enabling the selective manipulation of the microbiome. By performing metatranscriptomic (metaRNA-Seq) and metatranslatomic (metaRibo-Seq) analysis in complex samples, we classified microbes into functional groups (i.e. guilds) and demonstrated that members of the same guild are competitors. Furthermore, we predicted preferred substrates based on importer proteins, which specifically benefited selected microbes in the community (i.e. their niche) and simultaneously impaired their competitors. We demonstrated the scalability of microbial guild and niche determination to natural samples and its ability to successfully manipulate microorganisms in complex microbiomes. Thus, the approach enhances the design of pre- and probiotic interventions to selectively alter members within microbial communities, advances our understanding of microbial interactions, and paves the way for establishing causality in microbiome science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriane Moyne
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Mahmoud Al-Bassam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Chloe Lieng
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Deepan Thiruppathy
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Grant J Norton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Manish Kumar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Eli Haddad
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Livia S Zaramela
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Karsten Zengler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, 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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5
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Gerner RR, Hossain S, Sargun A, Siada K, Norton GJ, Zheng T, Neumann W, Nuccio SP, Nolan EM, Raffatellu M. Siderophore Immunization Restricted Colonization of Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli and Ameliorated Experimental Colitis. mBio 2022; 13:e0218422. [PMID: 36094114 PMCID: PMC9600343 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02184-22] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and profound alterations to the gut microbiome. Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) is a mucosa-associated pathobiont that colonizes the gut of patients with Crohn's disease, a form of IBD. Because AIEC exacerbates gut inflammation, strategies to reduce the AIEC bloom during colitis are highly desirable. To thrive in the inflamed gut, Enterobacteriaceae acquire the essential metal nutrient iron by producing and releasing siderophores. Here, we implemented an immunization-based strategy to target the siderophores enterobactin and its glucosylated derivative salmochelin to reduce the AIEC bloom in the inflamed gut. Using chemical (dextran sulfate sodium) and genetic (Il10-/- mice) IBD mouse models, we showed that immunization with enterobactin conjugated to the mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin subunit B potently elicited mucosal and serum antibodies against these siderophores. Siderophore-immunized mice exhibited lower AIEC gut colonization, diminished AIEC association with the gut mucosa, and reduced colitis severity. Moreover, Peyer's patches and the colonic lamina propria harbored enterobactin-specific B cells that could be identified by flow cytometry. The beneficial effect of siderophore immunization was primarily B cell-dependent because immunized muMT-/- mice, which lack mature B lymphocytes, were not protected during AIEC infection. Collectively, our study identified siderophores as a potential therapeutic target to reduce AIEC colonization and its association with the gut mucosa, which ultimately may reduce colitis exacerbation. Moreover, this work provides the foundation for developing monoclonal antibodies against siderophores, which could provide a narrow-spectrum strategy to target the AIEC bloom in Crohn's disease patients. IMPORTANCE Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) is abnormally prevalent in patients with ileal Crohn's disease and exacerbates intestinal inflammation, but treatment strategies that selectively target AIEC are unavailable. Iron is an essential micronutrient for most living organisms, and bacterial pathogens have evolved sophisticated strategies to capture iron from the host environment. AIEC produces siderophores, small, secreted molecules with a high affinity for iron. Here, we showed that immunization to elicit antibodies against siderophores promoted a reduction of the AIEC bloom, interfered with AIEC association with the mucosa, and mitigated colitis in experimental mouse models. We also established a flow cytometry-based approach to visualize and isolate siderophore-specific B cells, a prerequisite for engineering monoclonal antibodies against these molecules. Together, this work could lead to a more selective and antibiotic-sparing strategy to target AIEC in Crohn's disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana R. Gerner
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Suzana Hossain
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Artur Sargun
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technologygrid.116068.8, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kareem Siada
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Grant J. Norton
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Tengfei Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technologygrid.116068.8, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wilma Neumann
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technologygrid.116068.8, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sean-Paul Nuccio
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Nolan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technologygrid.116068.8, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Manuela Raffatellu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Chiba University-University of California-San Diego Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccines (CU-UCSD cMAV), La Jolla, California, USA
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Nelson ST, Robinson S, Rey K, Brown L, Jones N, Dawrs SN, Virdi R, Norton GJ, Epperson LE, Hasan NA, Chan ED, Strong M, Honda JR. Exposure Pathways of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Through Soil, Streams, and Groundwater, Hawai'i, USA. Geohealth 2021; 5:e2020GH000350. [PMID: 33855248 PMCID: PMC8025848 DOI: 10.1029/2020gh000350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although uncommon, nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary infection in the Hawaiian Islands has a relatively high incidence and mortality compared to the mainland U.S. As a result, this study examines the possible geological and hydrological pathways by which NTM patients may become infected, including the environmental conditions that may favor growth and transport. Previously suggested infection routes include the inhalation of NTM attached to micro-droplets from infected home plumbing systems and aerosolized dust from garden soil. In this study, we evaluate the possible routes NTM may take from riparian environments, into groundwater, into public water supplies and then into homes. Because NTM are notoriously hydrophobic and prone to attach to surfaces, mineralogy, and surface chemistry of suspended sediment in streams, soils, and rock scrapings suggest that NTM may especially attach to Fe-oxides/hydroxides, and be transported as particles from losing streams to the aquifer on time-scales of minutes to days. Within the aquifer, flow models indicate that water may be drawn into production wells on time scales (months) that permit NTM to survive and enter domestic water supplies. These processes depend on the presence of interconnected fracture networks with sufficient aperture to preclude complete autofiltration. The common occurrence of NTM in and around streams, in addition to wells, implies that the natural and built environments are capable of introducing a source of NTM into domestic water supplies via groundwater withdrawals. This may produce a persistent source of NTM infection to individuals through the presence of NTM-laden biofilms in home plumbing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kevin Rey
- Department of Geological SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUTUSA
| | - Leeza Brown
- Department of Geological SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUTUSA
| | - Norm Jones
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringBrigham Young UniversityProvoUTUSA
| | - Stephanie N. Dawrs
- Center for Genes, Environment, and HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
| | - Ravleen Virdi
- Center for Genes, Environment, and HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
| | - Grant J. Norton
- Center for Genes, Environment, and HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
| | - L. Elaine Epperson
- Center for Genes, Environment, and HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
| | - Nabeeh A. Hasan
- Center for Genes, Environment, and HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
| | - Edward D. Chan
- Medicine and Academic AffairsNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care MedicineUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraCOUSA
- Department of MedicineRocky Mountain Regional Denver Veterans Affairs Medical CenterAuroraCOUSA
| | - Michael Strong
- Center for Genes, Environment, and HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
| | - Jennifer R. Honda
- Center for Genes, Environment, and HealthNational Jewish HealthDenverCOUSA
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Virdi R, Lowe ME, Norton GJ, Dawrs SN, Hasan NA, Epperson LE, Glickman CM, Chan ED, Strong M, Crooks JL, Honda JR. Lower Recovery of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria from Outdoor Hawai'i Environmental Water Biofilms Compared to Indoor Samples. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020224. [PMID: 33499212 PMCID: PMC7910870 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental organisms that can cause opportunistic pulmonary disease with species diversity showing significant regional variation. In the United States, Hawai'i shows the highest rate of NTM pulmonary disease. The need for improved understanding of NTM reservoirs led us to identify NTM from patient respiratory specimens and compare NTM diversity between outdoor and indoor locations in Hawai'i. A total of 545 water biofilm samples were collected from 357 unique locations across Kaua'i (n = 51), O'ahu (n = 202), Maui (n = 159), and Hawai'i Island (n = 133) and divided into outdoor (n = 179) or indoor (n = 366) categories. rpoB sequence analysis was used to determine NTM species and predictive modeling applied to develop NTM risk maps based on geographic characteristics between environments. M. chimaera was frequently identified from respiratory and environmental samples followed by M. chelonae and M. abscessus; yet significantly less NTM were consistently recovered from outdoor compared to indoor biofilms, as exemplified by showerhead biofilm samples. While the frequency of M. chimaera recovery was comparable between outdoor and indoor showerhead biofilms, phylogenetic analyses demonstrate similar rpoB gene sequences between all showerhead and respiratory M. chimaera isolates, supporting outdoor and indoor environments as possible sources for pulmonary M. chimaera infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravleen Virdi
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA; (R.V.); (G.J.N.); (S.N.D.); (N.A.H.); (L.E.E.); (M.S.)
| | - Melissa E. Lowe
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA; (M.E.L.); (J.L.C.)
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Grant J. Norton
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA; (R.V.); (G.J.N.); (S.N.D.); (N.A.H.); (L.E.E.); (M.S.)
| | - Stephanie N. Dawrs
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA; (R.V.); (G.J.N.); (S.N.D.); (N.A.H.); (L.E.E.); (M.S.)
| | - Nabeeh A. Hasan
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA; (R.V.); (G.J.N.); (S.N.D.); (N.A.H.); (L.E.E.); (M.S.)
| | - L. Elaine Epperson
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA; (R.V.); (G.J.N.); (S.N.D.); (N.A.H.); (L.E.E.); (M.S.)
| | - Cody M. Glickman
- Computational Biosciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Edward D. Chan
- Department of Medicine and Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA;
- Division of Pulmonary Science and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Medicine, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO 80523, USA
| | - Michael Strong
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA; (R.V.); (G.J.N.); (S.N.D.); (N.A.H.); (L.E.E.); (M.S.)
| | - James L. Crooks
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA; (M.E.L.); (J.L.C.)
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jennifer R. Honda
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA; (R.V.); (G.J.N.); (S.N.D.); (N.A.H.); (L.E.E.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-303-398-1015
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8
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Tran T, Dawrs SN, Norton GJ, Virdi R, Honda JR. Brought to you courtesy of the red, white, and blue-pigments of nontuberculous mycobacteria. AIMS Microbiol 2020; 6:434-450. [PMID: 33364537 PMCID: PMC7755587 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2020026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigments are chromophores naturally synthesized by animals, plants, and microorganisms, as well as produced synthetically for a wide variety of industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Bacteria produce various pigments including melanin, pyocyanin, bacteriochlorophyll, violacein, prodigiosin, and carotenoids that exert diverse biological activities as antioxidants and demonstrate anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial properties. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) include over 200 environmental and acid-fast species; some of which can cause opportunistic disease in humans. Early in the study of mycobacteriology, the vast majority of mycobacteria were not known to synthesize pigments, particularly NTM isolates of clinical significance such as the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) species. This paper reviews the overall understanding of microbial pigments, their applications, as well as highlights what is currently known about pigments produced by NTM, the circumstances that trigger their production, and their potential roles in NTM survival and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tru Tran
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, Florida, USA
| | - Stephanie N Dawrs
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health; Department of Immunology and Genomic Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Grant J Norton
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health; Department of Immunology and Genomic Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Ravleen Virdi
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health; Department of Immunology and Genomic Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Jennifer R Honda
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health; Department of Immunology and Genomic Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
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Norton GJ, Williams M, Falkinham JO, Honda JR. Physical Measures to Reduce Exposure to Tap Water-Associated Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. Front Public Health 2020; 8:190. [PMID: 32596197 PMCID: PMC7304319 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) that cause human disease can be isolated from household tap water. Easy-to-use physical methods to reduce NTM from this potential source of exposure are needed. Filters and UV disinfection have been evaluated for their ability to reduce numbers of waterborne non-NTM organisms from drinking water, but their efficacy in reducing NTM counts are not well-established. Thus, five commercially available disinfection methods were evaluated for their potential as practical, efficient, and low-cost methods to reduce NTM from tap water. First, suspensions of tap water–adapted Mycobacterium smegmatis were passed through either a point-of-use, disposable, 7-day or 14-day Pall-Aquasafe filter. The 7-day filter prevented passage of M. smegmatis in effluent water for 13 days, and the 14-day filter prevented the passage of M. smegmatis for 25 days. Second, a granular activated carbon filter system failed to significantly reduce Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium avium numbers. Third, suspensions of tap water–adapted M. abscessus, M. avium, and M. chimaera (“MycoCocktail”) were passed through the “LifeStraw GO” hollow-fiber, two-stage membrane filtration system. LifeStraw GO prevented passage of the MycoCocktail suspension for the entire 68-day evaluation period. Finally, two different water bottle UV sterilization systems, “Mountop” and “SteriPEN,” were evaluated for their capacity to reduce NTM numbers from tap water. Specifically, MycoCocktail suspensions were dispensed into Mountop and SteriPEN water bottles and UV treated as per the manufacturer instructions once daily for 7 days, followed by a once weekly treatment for up to 56 days. After 4 days of daily UV treatment, both systems achieved a >4 log reduction in MycoCocktail CFU. After the 56-day evaluation period, suspension and biofilm-associated CFU were measured, and a >4 log reduction in CFU was maintained in both systems. Taken together, physical disinfection methods significantly reduced NTM numbers from tap water and may be easy-to-use, accessible applications to reduce environmental NTM exposures from drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant J Norton
- Department of Biomedical Research, Center for Genes, Environment and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Myra Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Joseph O Falkinham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Jennifer R Honda
- Department of Biomedical Research, Center for Genes, Environment and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
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10
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Honda JR, Hess T, Carlson R, Kandasamy P, Nieto Ramirez LM, Norton GJ, Virdi R, Islam MN, Mehaffy C, Hasan NA, Epperson LE, Hesser D, Alper S, Strong M, Flores SC, Voelker DR, Dobos KM, Chan ED. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Show Differential Infectivity and Use Phospholipids to Antagonize LL-37. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2020; 62:354-363. [PMID: 31545652 PMCID: PMC7055699 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2018-0278oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparisons of infectivity among the clinically important nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species have not been explored in great depth. Rapid-growing mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium abscessus and M. porcinum, can cause indolent but progressive lung disease. Slow-growing members of the M. avium complex are the most common group of NTM to cause lung disease, and molecular approaches can now distinguish between several distinct species of M. avium complex including M. intracellulare, M. avium, M. marseillense, and M. chimaera. Differential infectivity among these NTM species may, in part, account for differences in clinical outcomes and response to treatment; thus, knowing the relative infectivity of particular isolates could increase prognostication accuracy and enhance personalized treatment. Using human macrophages, we investigated the infectivity and virulence of nine NTM species, as well as multiple isolates of the same species. We also assessed their capacity to evade killing by the antibacterial peptide cathelicidin (LL-37). We discovered that the ability of different NTM species to infect macrophages varied among the species and among isolates of the same species. Our biochemical assays implicate modified phospholipids, which may include a phosphatidylinositol or cardiolipin backbone, as candidate antagonists of LL-37 antibacterial activity. The high variation in infectivity and virulence of NTM strains suggests that more detailed microbiological and biochemical characterizations are necessary to increase our knowledge of NTM pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R. Honda
- Department of Biomedical Research, Center for Genes, Environment and Health, and
| | - Tamara Hess
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Rachel Carlson
- Department of Medicine and Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | - Pitchaimani Kandasamy
- Department of Medicine and Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | | | - Grant J. Norton
- Department of Biomedical Research, Center for Genes, Environment and Health, and
| | - Ravleen Virdi
- Department of Biomedical Research, Center for Genes, Environment and Health, and
| | - M. Nurul Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Carolina Mehaffy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Nabeeh A. Hasan
- Department of Biomedical Research, Center for Genes, Environment and Health, and
| | - L. Elaine Epperson
- Department of Biomedical Research, Center for Genes, Environment and Health, and
| | - Danny Hesser
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Scott Alper
- Department of Biomedical Research, Center for Genes, Environment and Health, and
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, and
| | - Michael Strong
- Department of Biomedical Research, Center for Genes, Environment and Health, and
| | - Sonia C. Flores
- Division of Pulmonary Science and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado–Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; and
| | - Dennis R. Voelker
- Department of Medicine and Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | - Karen M. Dobos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Edward D. Chan
- Department of Medicine and Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
- Division of Pulmonary Science and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado–Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; and
- Department of Medicine, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
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11
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Mollon LC, Norton GJ, Trakal L, Moreno-Jimenez E, Elouali FZ, Hough RL, Beesley L. Mobility and toxicity of heavy metal(loid)s arising from contaminated wood ash application to a pasture grassland soil. Environ Pollut 2016; 218:419-427. [PMID: 27440517 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal(loid) rich ash (≤10,000 mg kg-1 total As, Cr, Cu and Zn) originating from the combustion of contaminated wood was subjected to several experimental procedures involving its incorporation into an upland pasture soil. Ash was added to soil that had been prior amended with local cattle manure, replicating practices employed at the farm scale. Metal(loid) concentrations were measured in soil pore water and ryegrass grown on soil/manure plus ash mixtures (0.1-3.0% vol. ash) in a pot experiment; toxicity evaluation was performed on the same pore water samples by means of a bacterial luminescence biosensor assay. Thereafter a sequential extraction procedure was carried out on selected soil, manure and ash mixtures to elucidate the geochemical association of ash derived metal(loid)s with soil constituents. Predictive modelling was applied to selected data from the pot experiment to determine the risk of transfer of As to meat and milk products in cattle grazing pasture amended with ash. The inclusion of manure to soils receiving ash reduced phyto-toxicity and increased ryegrass biomass yields, compared to soil with ash, but without manure. Elevated As and Cu concentrations in pore water and ryegrass tissue resulting from ash additions were reduced furthest by the inclusion of manure due to an increase in their geochemical association with organic matter. Zinc was the only measured metal(loid) to remain uniformly soluble and bioavailable regardless of the addition of ash and manure. Risk modelling on pot experimental data highlighted that an ash addition of >1% (vol.) to this pasture soil could result in As concentrations in milk and meat products exceeding acceptable limits. The results of this study therefore suggest that even singular low doses of ash applied to soil increase the risk of leaching of metal(loid)s and intensify the risk of As transfer in the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Mollon
- University of Aberdeen, Institute of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Cruickshank Building, St. Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK
| | - G J Norton
- University of Aberdeen, Institute of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Cruickshank Building, St. Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK
| | - L Trakal
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - E Moreno-Jimenez
- Departamento de Química Agrícola, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - F Z Elouali
- Departamento de Química Agrícola, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain; Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Sciences of Nature and Life, University of Mascara, 29000, Algeria
| | - R L Hough
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK
| | - L Beesley
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK.
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Newth JL, Rees EC, Cromie RL, McDonald RA, Bearhop S, Pain DJ, Norton GJ, Deacon C, Hilton GM. Widespread exposure to lead affects the body condition of free-living whooper swans Cygnus cygnus wintering in Britain. Environ Pollut 2016; 209:60-7. [PMID: 26629647 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Lead poisoning, through the ingestion of spent lead gunshot, is an established cause of morbidity and mortality in waterbirds globally, but the thresholds at which blood levels begin to affect the physiology of birds in the wild are less well known. Here we determine the prevalence of lead exposure in whooper swans and, for the first time, identify the level of blood lead associated with initial reductions in body condition. Blood lead elevated above background levels (i.e. >20 μg dL(-1)) was found in 41.7% (125/300) of swans tested. Blood lead was significantly negatively associated with winter body condition when levels were ≥44 μg dL(-1) (27/260 = 10%). Our findings indicating that sub-lethal impacts of lead on body condition occur at the lower end of previously established clinical thresholds and that a relatively high proportion of individuals in this population may be affected, reaffirm the importance of reducing contamination of the environment with lead shot.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Newth
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT, UK; Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, TR10 9EZ, UK.
| | - E C Rees
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT, UK
| | - R L Cromie
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT, UK
| | - R A McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - S Bearhop
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - D J Pain
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT, UK
| | - G J Norton
- Institute of Biological Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - C Deacon
- Institute of Biological Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - G M Hilton
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT, UK
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13
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Meharg AA, Williams PN, Deacon CM, Norton GJ, Hossain M, Louhing D, Marwa E, Lawgalwi Y, Taggart M, Cascio C, Haris P. Urinary excretion of arsenic following rice consumption. Environ Pollut 2014; 194:181-187. [PMID: 25145278 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Patterns of arsenic excretion were followed in a cohort (n = 6) eating a defined rice diet, 300 g per day d.wt. where arsenic speciation was characterized in cooked rice, following a period of abstinence from rice, and other high arsenic containing foods. A control group who did not consume rice were also monitored. The rice consumed in the study contained inorganic arsenic and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) at a ratio of 1:1, yet the urine speciation was dominated by DMA (90%). At steady state (rice consumption/urinary excretion) ∼40% of rice derived arsenic was excreted via urine. By monitoring of each urine pass throughout the day it was observed that there was considerable variation (up to 13-fold) for an individual's total arsenic urine content, and that there was a time dependent variation in urinary total arsenic content. This calls into question the robustness of routinely used first pass/spot check urine sampling for arsenic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Meharg
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, David Keir Building, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5BN, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - P N Williams
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, David Keir Building, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5BN, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - C M Deacon
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK
| | - G J Norton
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK
| | - M Hossain
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK; Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - D Louhing
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - E Marwa
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK; Department of Soil Science, Soikoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3008, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Y Lawgalwi
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK; Department of Plant Production, University of Sirte, Libya
| | - M Taggart
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK; University of the Highlands and Islands, 12b Ness Walk, Inverness, Scotland, IV3 5SQ, UK
| | - C Cascio
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK; European Commission, Ispra, Italy
| | - P Haris
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort Univ., The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
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