Our interface with the built environment: immunity and the indoor microbiota

Lax, Simon; Nagler, Cathryn R.; Gilbert, Jack A.

doi:10.1016/j.it.2015.01.001

Cited by 46 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…Such questions obviously need to consider the large number of changes occurring during international travel. Nor should we ignore the impact of our physical environments, much of which is determined by urban and suburban planning; indoor environments are generally designed to reduce microbial diversity (Lax, Nagler, & Gilbert, 2015), yet research indicates that people with immune disorder (atopic individuals) have reduced exposure to environmental biodiversity and lower diversity in skin microbiota were observed (Hanski et al, 2012); the microbiome of the built environment may impact upon mental health (Hoisington, Brenner, Kinney, Postolache, & Lowry, 2015).…”

Section: Culturementioning

confidence: 99%

A psychology of the human brain–gut–microbiome axis

Allen

Dinan

Clarke

et al. 2017

Social & Personality Psych

130

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In recent years, we have seen increasing research within neuroscience and biopsychology on the interactions between the brain, the gastrointestinal tract, the bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract, and the bidirectional relationship between these systems: the brain–gut–microbiome axis. Although research has demonstrated that the gut microbiota can impact upon cognition and a variety of stress‐related behaviours, including those relevant to anxiety and depression, we still do not know how this occurs. A deeper understanding of how psychological development as well as social and cultural factors impact upon the brain–gut–microbiome axis will contextualise the role of the axis in humans and inform psychological interventions that improve health within the brain–gut–microbiome axis. Interventions ostensibly aimed at ameliorating disorders in one part of the brain–gut–microbiome axis (e.g., psychotherapy for depression) may nonetheless impact upon other parts of the axis (e.g., microbiome composition and function), and functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome represent a disorder of the axis, rather than an isolated problem either of psychology or of gastrointestinal function. The discipline of psychology needs to be cognisant of these interactions and can help to inform the future research agenda in this emerging field of research. In this review, we outline the role psychology has to play in understanding the brain–gut–microbiome axis, with a focus on human psychology and the use of research in laboratory animals to model human psychology.

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Section: Culturementioning

confidence: 99%

A psychology of the human brain–gut–microbiome axis

Allen

Dinan

Clarke

et al. 2017

Social & Personality Psych

130

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The indoor environment has become our most intimate ecosystem, though its reduced microbial diversity relative to the outside world may be linked to an increased incidence of immunological diseases, asthma, and allergies 1–4 . A strong link has been observed between the microbial communities associated with human skin and those recovered from buildings 5–7 .…”

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confidence: 99%

Bacterial colonization and succession in a newly opened hospital

et al. 2017

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The microorganisms that inhabit hospitals may significantly influence patient recovery rates and outcomes (REFs). To develop a community level understating of how microorganisms colonize and move through the hospital environment, we mapped microbial dynamics between hospital surfaces, air and water to patients and staff over the course of one year as a new hospital became operational. Immediately following the introduction of staff and patients, the hospital microbiome became dominated by human skin-associated bacteria. Human skin samples had the lowest microbial diversity, while the greatest diversity was found on surfaces interacting with outdoor environments. The microbiota of patient room surfaces, especially bedrails, consistently resembled the skin microbial community of the current patient, with degree of similarity significantly correlated to higher humidity and lower temperatures. Microbial similarity between staff members showed a significant seasonal trend being greatest in late summer/early fall correlating with increased humidity.

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“…So, to have additional methods and lines of evidence to identify villains invading and plundering our personal space is becoming essential. And moreover: given the fact that humans spend most of their time in the built environment, merrily breathing in all of its microbial bounty day and night, its potential influence on health and disease is coming under increasing scrutiny 11 .…”

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confidence: 99%