Exposure to (1 → 3)-β-D-glucans in swine farms

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to organic dust and (1 ? 3)-b-D-glucans in the buildings where an intensive breeding of swine is going on and evaluation of the impact of the breeding technical conditions on the observed levels of bioaerosols. The study was carried out in 30 swine farms differentiated by the size of the herd and technical conditions of breeding. In 35 randomly selected buildings, air samples were collected by stationary measurements to determine the concentrations of organic dust and (1 ? 3)-b-D-glucans in inhalable and respirable fractions. Furthermore, each of the investigated buildings was precisely characterized by means of a questionnaire for technical conditions and type of breeding. In each of the points, the microclimate parameters were measured, i.e., temperature, relative humidity, CO 2 concentration and air velocity. The analyzed levels of organic dust and (1 ? 3)-b-Dglucans were characterized by a wide range of concentrations. For inhalable fraction, they reached respectively: organic dust (0.43-11.8 mg/m 3 ), (1 ? 3)-b-D-glucans (14-3,594 ng/m 3 ). For respirable fraction, the results were as follows: organic dust (0.01-4.69 mg/ m 3 ), (1 ? 3)-b-D-glucans (1-703 ng/m 3 ). The concentrations of (1 ? 3)-b-D-glucans were positively correlated with organic dust (r = 0.68; p \ 0.001). The most significant factor increasing the concentrations of organic dust and (1 ? 3)-b-D-glucans was the use of bedding in the form of cut straw. Additionally, the levels of (1 ? 3)-b-D-glucans were affected by manual forage feeding, mechanical manure disposal and the lack of the liquid manure container in breeding buildings. In view of the hazardous effects of biological agents on the health of swine-breeding workers, the swine management systems without beddings should be used, along with automated dosing techniques.

The association between endotoxin and beta-(1 → 3)-D-glucan in house dust with asthma severity among schoolchildren

“…Furthermore, in addition to small sample size, the lower levels of the WS fraction of beta-(1 → 3)-D-glucan may also explain the lack of association seen in the case of strong estimates found for mattress beta-(1 → 3)-D-glucan levels and asthma severity in this study. However, while the AS fraction of beta-(1 → 3)-D-glucan may represent the most potent fraction of beta-(1 → 3)-D-glucan [62] and has been the most commonly investigated fraction of beta-(1 → 3)-Dglucan [14,42,44,64], we have further demonstrated, in this study, that the WS soluble fraction of beta-(1 → 3)-D-glucan could also worsen respiratory symptoms in children with preexisting asthma conditions.…”

“…Second, while some studies might have reported seasonal variability in house dust levels and microbial components [21,60,61], we obtained similar results of associations between microbial exposures and asthma severity after additional adjustment for seasonality in our models. Finally, the dust extraction analysis procedure used in this study is specific in determining the water soluble (WS) fraction of beta-(1 → 3)-D-glucan [62] which may not represent the most potent fraction of beta-(1 → 3)-D-glucan compared to alkaline soluble (AS) fraction [63]. This extraction procedure may be one of the reasons beta-(1 → 3)-D-glucan levels in the current study were lower in contrast to levels obtained in studies focusing on the AS fraction of beta-(1 → 3)-Dglucan [14,42,44,64].…”

Modeling emissions from CAFO poultry farms in Poland and evaluating potential risk to surrounding populations

“…Organic dusts emanating from CAFOs can consist of various types of contaminants, and very high concentrations of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses) as well as their derivative structures, including endotoxins, (1 → 3)-β-D-glucans and allergens (Hartung and Schulz, 2011; Schulz et al, 2005; Seedorf, 2004). Several studies have shown a high level of biological hazards (bacteria, fungi, endotoxin and (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan) associated with large-scale farming of animals in Poland (Bródka et al, 2012; Cyprowski et al, 2012; Sowiak et al, 2012a, 2012b; Szadkowska-Stańczyk et al, 2010). Bacteria of the genus of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, numerous Gram-negative and Gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria, including many species of Bacillus genus, were found in bacterial aerosols coming from hen-houses (Vučemilo et al, 2007; Zucker et al, 2000; Oppliger et al, 2008).…”

Visible fungi growth and dampness assessed using a questionnaire versus airborne fungi, (1→3)-β-d-glucan and fungal spore concentrations in flats

“…The detection limit was 3.5 cfu/m 3 . The analysis of (1→3)-β-D-glucan concentrations in the air samples collected on the filters was carried out using Glucatell test in kinetic version (Associates of Cape Cod Inc., USA) according to the procedure described by Cyprowski et al [15]. For all the samples, the analysis was carried out separately for water-soluble (WS) and alkali-soluble (AS) fractions of (1→3)-β-D-glucans.…”