Exposure to Bioaerosols in Poultry Houses at Different Stages of Fattening; Use of Real-time PCR for Airborne Bacterial Quantification

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that poultry house workers are exposed to very high levels of organic dust and consequently have an increased prevalence of adverse respiratory symptoms. However, the influence of the age of broilers on bioaerosol concentrations has not been investigated. To evaluate the evolution of bioaerosol concentration during the fattening period, bioaerosol parameters (inhalable dust, endotoxin and bacteria) were measured in 12 poultry confinement buildings in Switzerland, at three different stages of the birds’ growth; samples of air taken from within the breathing zones of individual poultry house employees as they caught the chickens ready to be transported for slaughter were also analysed. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was used to assess the quantity of total airborne bacteria and total airborne Staphylococcus species. Bioaerosol levels increased significantly during the fattening period of the chickens. During the task of catching mature birds, the mean inhalable dust concentration for a worker was 26 ± 1.9 mg m−3 and endotoxin concentration was 6198 ± 2.3 EU m−3 air, >6-fold higher than the Swiss occupational recommended value (1000 EU m−3). The mean exposure level of bird catchers to total bacteria and Staphylococcus species measured by Q-PCR is also very high, respectively, reaching values of 53 (±2.6) × 107 cells m−3 air and 62 (±1.9) × 106 m−3 air. It was concluded that in the absence of wearing protective breathing apparatus, chicken catchers in Switzerland risk exposure beyond recommended limits for all measured bioaerosol parameters. Moreover, the use of Q-PCR to estimate total and specific numbers of airborne bacteria is a promising tool for evaluating any modifications intended to improve the safety of current working practices.

Integrated micro-optofluidic platform for real-time detection of airborne microorganisms

“…Culturing methods require a growth medium, which may not satisfy the specific growth requirements of all species of interest, and also requires prolonged incubation (i.e., >24 hours) 16 . Recently, detection and enumeration of airborne microorganisms has been accomplished using techniques based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), which are highly sensitive and quantitative techniques 17 18 19 20 21 . However, additional pretreatment processes (such as particle condensation/purification), and elaborate sample handling by well-trained operators in a clean environment are required 22 .…”

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

“…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). Respiratory and systemic symptoms and declines in lung function have been associated with endotoxin exposure in farm workers (Heederik et al, 2007).…”

A Biophysiochemical Analysis of Settled Livestock and Poultry Housing Dusts

“…It is possible that the results would differ for dusts collected using a different sampling method. Reports summarizing dust characterization and exposure studies have used a myriad of sample collection strategies including static cloths (Ege et al, 2012), air sampling (Oppliger et al, 2008) and brush collection (Wyatt et al, 2008). However, an understanding of settled dust particles would provide insight into the nature and interactions of larger dust constituents which are more likely to accumulate and persist within animal production housing.…”