Detection and Control of Indoor Airborne Pathogenic Bacteria by Biosensors Based on Quorum Sensing Chemical Language: Bio-Tools, Connectivity Apps and Intelligent Buildings

Abstract

Nowadays, lifestyles and climate change lead people to spend long periods in indoors spaces, where reduced ventilation and artificial light favor the concentration and spread of airborne pathogenic microorganisms. Current procedures for microbiological air evaluation are based on air sampling coupled to traditional microbiological culturedependent methods such as biochemical tests and molecular rDNA 16S sequencing. These techniques generate an important delay in the application of prevention and control measures. This chapter presents whole cell-based biosensors that are able to detect quorum sensing signaling molecules produced by airborne pathogenic bacteria as a tool for indoor air monitoring. Furthermore, a general biosensor model is proposed. In this model, in vivo biosensors technology can be connected to online applications (Apps), being part of intelligent buildings, in order to reduce airborne pathogenic bacteria concentration and dissemination.

Infection Control in Dentistry and Drug-Resistant Infectious Agents: A Burning Issue. Part 2

“…The hazard for our reputation and insurance coverage is increasing with the possibility offered by molecular biology to identify dentally acquired infections [1]. Molecular biology and in vivo biosensors technology, to detect quorum sensing signaling molecules produced by airborne pathogenic bacteria, can prove the violations and noncompliances in dental settings and useful for accreditation surveys [43][44][45][46][47]58]. Nevertheless, antimicrobial surfaces and graphene-based antimicrobial nanomaterials seem to be promising to lower cross infection [122].…”

“…Fast and very sensitive molecular biological techniques (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), multiplex PCR, microarray, next-generation sequencing technologies, etc.) and in vivo biosensors technology seem to be a very promising support to improve the knowledge on bioburden and biofouling, even due to not cultivable infectious agents by classical microbiological methods, and to monitor the effectiveness of item reprocessing [43][44][45][46][47].…”

Photonic System for Real Time Detection, Discrimination, and Quantification of Microbes in Air

“…Pathogenic bacteria, fungi, virus, and parasites can travel through various routes (air, water, physical contact, and bodily fluids), and enter their hosts (plants, animals, and humans) causing infectious diseases [1][2][3][4][5] . Airborne microorganisms transmitted through human speech, coughing, sneezing, and exhalation are known to have long residence times in the environment [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and responsible for the rapid and extensive spread of diseases [13][14][15] .…”

“…Of late, diversified technology combinations in the form of biosensors 18 , especially optical biosensors 22 , have shown improved capabilities in the direct detection of airborne microorganisms. Molecular technology now being used for the identification of components and signal amplification of sensors [17][18][19] , as well as the advanced sophisticated technologies and techniques (genomic fingerprinting [20][21] , real time quantitative PCR 24 , mass spectrometry [25][26] ) still require on-site sampling and further tests in the laboratory, with complex operation processes, involving long detection times [1][2][3][4][5] . Even though high detection efficiency and accuracy of the current techniques are reported, the subjectivity of sampling strategy, and the mechanisms employed for sampling, are known to have limitations affecting the accuracy of microbe detection 2 .…”

Photonic system for real-time detection, discrimination, and quantification of microbes in air

“…amplification of sensors [17][18][19], including advanced, sophisticated technologies and techniques (genomic fingerprinting [20,21], realtime quantitative PCR [24], mass spectrometry [25,26]), still require on-site sampling and further testing in the laboratory, involves complex operation processes, having long detection times [1][2][3][4][5]. Interestingly, even though the current techniques have high detection efficiency and accuracy, the sampling strategy's subjectivity and the sampling mechanisms employed are known to have limitations affecting the accuracy of microbe detection [2].…”