Aerobiologia最新文献

The advent of automatic pollen and fungal spore monitoring over the past few years has brought about a paradigm change. The provision of real-time information at high temporal resolution opens the door to a wide range of improvements in terms of the products and services made available to a widening range of end-users and stakeholders. As technology and methods mature, it is essential to properly quantify the impact automatic monitoring has on the different end-user domains to better understand the real long-term benefits to society. In this paper, we focus the main domains where such impacts are expected, using Europe as a basis to provide qualitative estimates and to describe research needs to better quantify impacts in future. This will, in part, also serve to justify further investment and help to expand monitoring networks.

In 2019, the world grappled with an unexpected and severe global health crisis—the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, which significantly impacted various aspects of human life. This case study, focusing on Bangladesh, aimed to uncover the complex spatial patterns and potential risk factors influencing the virus’s uneven spread across 64 districts. To analyze spatial patterns, two techniques, namely Moran I and Geary C, were employed to study spatial autocorrelation. Hotspots and coldspots were identified using local Moran I, while spatial hotspots were pinpointed using local Getis Ord G. Exploring spatial heterogeneity involved implementing two non-spatial models (Poisson–Gamma and Poisson-Lognormal) and three spatial models (Conditional Autoregressive model, Convolution model, and Leroux model) through Gibbs sampling. The Leroux model emerged as the optimal choice, meeting criteria based on the lowest values of deviance information criterion and Watanabe–Akaike information criterion. Regression analysis revealed that factors such as humidity, population density, and urbanization were associated with an increase in COVID-19 cases, while the aging index appeared to hinder the virus’s spread. The research outcomes provide a comprehensive framework adaptable to the evolving nature of COVID-19 in Bangladesh. It categorizes influential factors into distinct clusters, enabling government agencies, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to make informed decisions for controlling the pandemic and addressing future infectious diseases.

Suspended particles of biological origin comprising of virus, fragments of plants and animals dander, pollen grains, fungal spores and bacteria known as bioaerosols have become a major concern in the past decades. In the present study reports, the concentration and size distribution of fungal bioaerosol in and around a sugar mill situated in the Muzaffarnagar region of Uttar Pradesh, India, are presented. The sampling was performed in the winter when the mill used to be in the operational mode. The highest mean fungal concentration was observed at the cutter site (4022 ± 321 cfu/m³) and lowest at storage site (832 ± 85 cfu/m³). The maximum and minimum concentration of fungal bioaerosol was observed during January (3090 ± 174 cfu/m³⁾ and March (629 ± 69 cfu/m³) respectively. During the entire sampling period, the fine fraction of fungal bioaerosol was observed to be significantly higher at all the sites, whereas coarse fraction was lower. The association between fine and coarse fractions of bioaerosols showed a very strong positive relationship. The levels of fungal bioaerosol and their association with the meteorological parameters in sugar mill were also conducted. A positive association with the relative humidity and wind speed was observed at significance level of p < 0.05, whereas a negative relation was observed with temperature at p < 0.05. The lifetime average daily dose was calculated for both inhalation and dermal; among them LADD_inhalation is ~ 5 times over LADD_dermal. The health risk index was observed as < 1 for both inhalation and dermal routes, whereas HI_inhalation value was 10⁵ times higher than the HI_dermal value. The dominant fungi genera found in the air of examined dwellings were Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Cladosporium spp., and Alternaria spp., which occurred predominantly at all of the studied sites during the sampling period.

Dengue fever is a virus-borne disease spread by mosquitos, and its global prevalence has risen significantly in recent years. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact and association of climatic factors on the spread of dengue incidence in Bangladesh. From January 2011 to December 2021, the study used secondary data on monthly dengue cases and the monthly average of climatic factors. In addition to the descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses of Kendall’s tau-b and Spearman’s rho have been performed for measuring the association of climatic factors on dengue infection. The generalized linear negative binomial regression model with and without lag was applied to evaluate the impacts of climatic factors on dengue transmission. Results of goodness of fit statistics ((AIC, BIC, and deviance)) showed that NBR model with one month lag best fitted to our data. The model findings revealed that temperature ((IRR:1.223, 95% CI:1.089-1.374)), humidity ((IRR:1.131, 95% CI:1.103-1.159)), precipitation ((IRR:1.158, 95% CI:1.072-1.253)), and air pressure ((IRR:5.279, 95% CI:1.411-19.046)) were significantly positively influenced the spread of dengue incidence in Bangladesh. Additionally, dengue fever cases are anticipated to rise by 1.223, 1.131, 1.158, and 5.279 times, respectively, for the everyone-unit increase in the monthly average mean temperature, humidity, precipitation, and air pressure range. The findings on the epidemiological trends of the dengue epidemic and weather changes may interest policymakers and health officials.

Deposited dust represents a nutritional niche for microflora. Inhibiting microflora-associated deposited dust is a critical approach to manage cultural heritage buildings. Knowledge on the effectiveness of commercial disinfection on microflora in a real field environment is limited. The present study aims to: (1) characterize deposited dust composition, and (2) assess the effectiveness of several commercial biocides/and an air ionizer on microflora-associated floor surface and air before and after treatment. Deposited dust was collected using a dust collector and microbial air sampling was conducted via a volumetric impactor sampler. Susceptibility of microorganisms to biocide/ionizer was performed in a naturally ventilated unoccupied room with a floor area of 18 m². One-treatment protocol, a daily disinfection mode, was applied to each biocide/ionizer. The surface floor was adjacently sprayed by a biocide, and the ionizer was turned on for 30 min. Indoor deposited dust rates varied between 0.75 and 8.7 mg/m²/day with indoor/outdoor ratio of ~ 1:100. Ion concentrations of NH₄⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻ were higher indoor than outdoor. The concentration of microorganisms-associated deposited dust averaged 10⁶ CFU/g; 10⁵ CFU/g and 10⁴ CFU/g for bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes, respectively. A total of 23 fungal taxa were identified, with Aspergillus flavus, Asp. fumigatus and Asp. niger were the predominant taxa. Biocides quickly reduced floor surface and airborne microbial loads. The biocidal effect was time limited, as microflora loads increased again after ~ 4 days of the treatment protocol. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) out-performed other biocides, showed a relatively permanent microbial inhibiting effect. The air ionizer reduced airborne microorganisms and increased surface floor ones. Characterizing of deposited dust (rate and composition) and choice an appropriate biocide may effectively reduce biodeterioration. Further real field treatment trials under various microenvironmental conditions are needed to determine the effectiveness of disinfection treatment.

This scientific article presents a comprehensive exploration of the intriguing ecological phenomenon known as "red rain", observed in the coastal town located at latitude N 11°.61108 and longitude E 75°.57383 in Kerala, India. The study aims to elucidate the origins, characteristics, and potential environmental implications associated with this phenomenon. Through a meticulous descriptive analysis, incorporating microscopic evaluation, DNA-sequencing, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, and phylogenetic analysis, we deciphered the underlying factors responsible for the distinct red coloration observed in the rain. Our research findings highlight the presence of specific organic compounds, namely psi-psi Carotene 3,4 didehydro-1,2,7′8'-tetrahydro-1-methoxy-2-oxo and psi-psi and- Carotene 3,3',4,4'-tetradehydro1′2' dihydro 1-hydroxy-1'-methoxy in the algae, Trentepohlia abietina, as the primary contributors to the red color observed in the red rain. The research findings contribute to a deeper understanding of this distinctive occurrence and its implications for the local ecosystem in Kerala.

For urban ecosystem, the understanding of plant responses and behavioral pattern to prevailing stresses is critical. This study aims to evaluate the reproductive behavior of 40 roadside plants, including trees, shrubs, and herbs, to higher air pollution load for three successive years (i.e.—2017, 2018, and 2019) in an Indo-gangetic urban sprawl. The mean surface concentration of three gaseous pollutants (O₃, NO₂, and SO₂) and one particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 1 µm (PM₁) was found to be highest at the polluted sites during all seasons. Though, there is no prescribed national standard for total atmospheric deposition; but, it was found significantly higher in all the seasons at the urban sites. According to obtained results, the natural pollen viabilities in all the plant species decreased to 10% significantly earlier at the urban sites. The seed numbers, weight, viability, and in-vivo germinations were also reduced significantly under higher air pollution load. The K-means cluster including all obtained data demonstrated a major group of 36 plants followed by two out groups of 2 plants each. Exceptionally, few plants, such as M. indica, R. communis, S. sisymbrifolium, M. azedarach, H. indicum, J. gossypifolia, S. tora, A. indicum, and C. gigantea, showed improved or unaffected responses in some of the reproductive parameters under higher air pollution load. Altogether, the obtained responses of all these plant species might be useful to understand the reproductive strategies, and can be utilized towards screening of effective species for sustainable urban green space development.

In aquaculture, biological hazards can be exposed to workers in the form of bioaerosols. This study is to evaluate the level of biological hazard exposure and to provide fundamental data for the health management of aquaculture workers in Korea. A field survey was conducted to measure bioaerosol exposure at ten aquaculture farms in areas where Korean aquaculture is concentrated. Airborne bacteria and fungi with size distribution and identification were measured by simultaneously monitoring temperature and relative humidity. Particularly, high concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi were observed in farms G and H. Compared to the standards set by the Korean Ministry of Environment, both total airborne bacteria and fungi concentrations exceeded the limit in farms G and H, with the airborne fungi concentration showing four times higher than the standard. As a cause, it is believed to be the quantity and form of work. In size distribution, it was similar to previous study. However, the respirable size range accounted for more than 50% of total concentration, so extra caution should be needed. Staphylococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp., and Bacillus spp. are dominant species for airborne bacteria whereas Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., and Alternaria spp. are dominant species for airborne fungi. Most farms had concentrations below the standard, but two farms exceeded the standard, likely due to work type. And some caution is needed for respirable size bioaerosol. Further research is needed, considering additional factors such as tank type, fish species, and type of works.

During the month of February in 2019, the Western USA experienced elevated precipitation levels, corresponding to atmospheric river events, ending a drought period. Rainwater samples were collected at four time points across two weeks and analyzed by microscopy, analytical chemistry, and long-read sequencing methods. Quantification of whole cells showed concentrations of > 10⁶ cells/L. Imaged cells from fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy included microeukaryotes. Analytic chemistry detected Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, which were in agreement with back trajectories of an oceanic origin and atmospheric river occurrence. Taxonomic investigation of long-read sequences generated from the Nanopore MinION resulted in a high proportion of read assignments to fungal groups. For bacterial taxonomies, common rainwater-associated bacterial genera were present at higher proportions than other bacterial groups: Erwinia, Hymenobacter, Pseudomonas, and Pantoea. The microscopy data support the potential of intact and viable cell wet deposition into local environments and the taxonomic identification of common atmospheric-associated bacterial genera from long-read sequencing highlights the potential usefulness of this platform for atmospheric samples and field campaigns.

Aerobiology could be used as complementary data or proxy for studying phenology, especially in species which usually are not long-distance transported, such as grasses. This 21-year aerobiological study took place in Évora (South Portugal), using a seven-day recording volumetric pollen trap with the aim of analysing the temporal trends of grass pollen seasons. To this end, data were statistically tested for correlation and regression to determine the features and temporal trends of pollen seasons. Main results show that Poaceae pollen has a high representation in pollen spectrum, 20% (min: 7%; max: 44%), with a long season starting in March and lasting till August/September or October. There was an overall, but not statistically significant trend, towards an increase in the annual pollen integral and peak values, and also an overall non-statistically significant trend towards an earlier start and later end of the pollen season. Main and high pollen seasons have been lasting longer, and the days with allergenic potential have been rising in line with the local temperature rising trend. It seems that grass pollen production is being aided by warmer temperatures and increased grassland areas in Alentejo region. This could promote the increase in annual pollen levels and in the number of high pollen days over the years. In clinical terms, it means that grass allergic patients are exposed to longer periods of airborne pollen and to higher counts over a longer time. The climate conditions projected for Alentejo region, including rising temperature, and the changes in local grassland areas may help to clarify the trends of grass pollen seasons in the next decades.