How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal Facility
The exposure to biocontaminants in animal facilities represents a risk for developing infectious, allergic and toxic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine what factors could be associated with a high level of exposure to biological agents through the measure and characterization of airbor...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-05-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/9/11/2216 |
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| author | Anna M. Marcelloni Alessandra Chiominto Simona Di Renzi Paola Melis Annarita Wirz Maria C. Riviello Stefania Massari Renata Sisto Maria C. D’Ovidio Emilia Paba |
| author_facet | Anna M. Marcelloni Alessandra Chiominto Simona Di Renzi Paola Melis Annarita Wirz Maria C. Riviello Stefania Massari Renata Sisto Maria C. D’Ovidio Emilia Paba |
| author_sort | Anna M. Marcelloni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The exposure to biocontaminants in animal facilities represents a risk for developing infectious, allergic and toxic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine what factors could be associated with a high level of exposure to biological agents through the measure and characterization of airborne fungi, bacteria, endotoxin, (1,3)-β-<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">d</span>-glucan and animal allergens. Airborne microorganisms were collected with an air sampler and identified by microscopic and biochemical methods. Endotoxin, (1,3)-β-<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">d</span>-glucan, Mus m 1, Rat n 1, Can f 1, Fel d 1, Equ c 4 allergens were detected on inhalable dust samples by Kinetic LAL, Glucatell, and ELISA assays, respectively. Our data evidenced that changing cages is a determinant factor in increasing the concentration of the airborne biocontaminants; the preparation of bedding and distribution of feed, performed in the storage area, is another critical working task in terms of exposure to endotoxins (210.7 EU/m<sup>3</sup>) and (1,3)-β-<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">d</span>-glucans (4.3 ng/m<sup>3</sup>). The highest concentration of Mus m 1 allergen (61.5 ng/m<sup>3</sup>) was observed in the dirty washing area. The detection of expositive peaks at risk of sensitization (>2 μg/g) by Fel d 1 in animal rooms shows passive transport by operators themselves, highlighting their role as vehicle between occupational and living environments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T21:50:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-605eaa9fb02d477ab53520cc7118efac |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T21:50:06Z |
| publishDate | 2019-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-605eaa9fb02d477ab53520cc7118efac2022-12-22T00:49:29ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172019-05-01911221610.3390/app9112216app9112216How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal FacilityAnna M. Marcelloni0Alessandra Chiominto1Simona Di Renzi2Paola Melis3Annarita Wirz4Maria C. Riviello5Stefania Massari6Renata Sisto7Maria C. D’Ovidio8Emilia Paba9Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, ItalySanta Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Via Ardeatina 306, 00142 Rome, ItalySanta Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Via Ardeatina 306, 00142 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Stefano Gradi 55, 00143 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, ItalyThe exposure to biocontaminants in animal facilities represents a risk for developing infectious, allergic and toxic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine what factors could be associated with a high level of exposure to biological agents through the measure and characterization of airborne fungi, bacteria, endotoxin, (1,3)-β-<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">d</span>-glucan and animal allergens. Airborne microorganisms were collected with an air sampler and identified by microscopic and biochemical methods. Endotoxin, (1,3)-β-<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">d</span>-glucan, Mus m 1, Rat n 1, Can f 1, Fel d 1, Equ c 4 allergens were detected on inhalable dust samples by Kinetic LAL, Glucatell, and ELISA assays, respectively. Our data evidenced that changing cages is a determinant factor in increasing the concentration of the airborne biocontaminants; the preparation of bedding and distribution of feed, performed in the storage area, is another critical working task in terms of exposure to endotoxins (210.7 EU/m<sup>3</sup>) and (1,3)-β-<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">d</span>-glucans (4.3 ng/m<sup>3</sup>). The highest concentration of Mus m 1 allergen (61.5 ng/m<sup>3</sup>) was observed in the dirty washing area. The detection of expositive peaks at risk of sensitization (>2 μg/g) by Fel d 1 in animal rooms shows passive transport by operators themselves, highlighting their role as vehicle between occupational and living environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/9/11/2216allergensendotoxinbiological agentslaboratory animal allergyenvironmental monitoringoccupational exposure |
| spellingShingle | Anna M. Marcelloni Alessandra Chiominto Simona Di Renzi Paola Melis Annarita Wirz Maria C. Riviello Stefania Massari Renata Sisto Maria C. D’Ovidio Emilia Paba How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal Facility Applied Sciences allergens endotoxin biological agents laboratory animal allergy environmental monitoring occupational exposure |
| title | How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal Facility |
| title_full | How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal Facility |
| title_fullStr | How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal Facility |
| title_full_unstemmed | How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal Facility |
| title_short | How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal Facility |
| title_sort | how working tasks influence biocontamination in an animal facility |
| topic | allergens endotoxin biological agents laboratory animal allergy environmental monitoring occupational exposure |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/9/11/2216 |
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