Size-resolved genomic characterization of fungal bioaerosols with emphasis on the diversity among host-specific pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungal species

Abstract

Dispersion and atmospheric transport of fungal bioaerosols help fungal migration and colonization worldwide. The particle size of fungal propagules mainly controls this and influences the taxonomic composition of fungal bioaerosols in a region. The study reports the size-resolved genomic characterization of the pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungal bioaerosols found in the Indian subcontinent. Scanning Electron Microscope images and results from size-resolved DNA analysis using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) method inferred the presence of unicellular and multi-cellular spores and large fungal fragments in the bioaerosols. Further investigations inferred the presence of 67 crop pathogenic fungal OTUs capable of causing lethal crop diseases threatening the country’s food security and agricultural economy. Many other pathogenic fungal species, which could affect plants (plants excluding the crops), humans, and insects were also found in the bioaerosols. About 176 non-pathogenic OTUs inferred the presence of some beneficial fungal species in bioaerosols. Community diversity and similarities shared by each pathogenic and non-pathogenic category implied that the pathogenic fungal categories shared many OTUs within the categories, compared to the non-pathogenic fungal categories, explicitly explaining the evolution potential of pathogenic fungal species to infect a broad host range. Such studies on bioaerosol characterization based on host-pathogen interactions help to predict pathogenic fungal invasions and help the government to ensure biosecurity.