Microbial Sequencing Analyses Suggest the Presence of a Fecal Veneer on Indoor Climbing Wall Holds

Bräuer, Suzanna L.; Vuono, David C.; Carmichael, Mary Jane; Pepe-Ranney, Charles; Strom, Amanda; Rabinowitz, Erik; Buckley, Daniel H.; Zinder, Stephen H.

doi:10.1007/s00284-014-0643-3

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Current research has focused on how occupants alter the MoBE and have documented the transmission of microorganisms from human occupants to the air and surfaces within buildings [ 2 , 3 , 54 – 59 ]. Human skin microorganisms are likely a major source of indoor human-related microorganisms and have been observed in the MoBE in classrooms [ 60 ], households [ 57 ], and athletic environments [ 55 ].…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The microbiome of the built environment and mental health

et al. 2015

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The microbiome of the built environment (MoBE) is a relatively new area of study. While some knowledge has been gained regarding impacts of the MoBE on the human microbiome and disease vulnerability, there is little knowledge of the impacts of the MoBE on mental health. Depending on the specific microbial species involved, the transfer of microorganisms from the built environment to occupant’s cutaneous or mucosal membranes has the potential to increase or disrupt immunoregulation and/or exaggerate or suppress inflammation. Preclinical evidence highlighting the influence of the microbiota on systemic inflammation supports the assertion that microorganisms, including those originating from the built environment, have the potential to either increase or decrease the risk of inflammation-induced psychiatric conditions and their symptom severity. With advanced understanding of both the ecology of the built environment, and its influence on the human microbiome, it may be possible to develop bioinformed strategies for management of the built environment to promote mental health. Here we present a brief summary of microbiome research in both areas and highlight two interdependencies including the following: (1) effects of the MoBE on the human microbiome and (2) potential opportunities for manipulation of the MoBE in order to improve mental health. In addition, we propose future research directions including strategies for assessment of changes in the microbiome of common areas of built environments shared by multiple human occupants, and associated cohort-level changes in the mental health of those who spend time in the buildings. Overall, our understanding of the fields of both the MoBE and influence of host-associated microorganisms on mental health are advancing at a rapid pace and, if linked, could offer considerable benefit to health and wellness.

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Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The microbiome of the built environment and mental health

et al. 2015

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“…In recent years, the scientific community has begun to recognize the importance of characterizing such human-associated habitats, with increasing numbers of studies seeking to determine the biodiversity, ecology, and public health implications of microbial assemblages present in the built environment. Investigations to date have included assessments of public restrooms [ 1 , 2 ], hospitals [ 3 – 7 ], residences [ 8 – 18 ], university classrooms and office buildings [ 5 , 19 – 22 ], artisan cheesemaking facilities [ 23 ], athletic facilities [ 24 , 25 ], museums [ 5 , 26 ], metropolitan subways [ 27 – 29 ], and even the evolutionary context of microbes indoors [ 30 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiota of the indoor environment: a meta-analysis

et al. 2015

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BackgroundAs modern humans, we spend the majority of our time in indoor environments. Consequently, environmental exposure to microorganisms has important implications for human health, and a better understanding of the ecological drivers and processes that impact indoor microbial assemblages will be key for expanding our knowledge of the built environment. In the present investigation, we combined recent studies examining the microbiota of the built environment in order to identify unifying community patterns and the relative importance of indoor environmental factors. Ultimately, the present meta-analysis focused on studies of bacteria and archaea due to the limited number of high-throughput fungal studies from the indoor environment. We combined 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene datasets from 16 surveys of indoor environments conducted worldwide, additionally including 7 other studies representing putative environmental sources of microbial taxa (outdoor air, soil, and the human body).ResultsCombined analysis of subsets of studies that shared specific experimental protocols or indoor habitats revealed community patterns indicative of consistent source environments and environmental filtering. Additionally, we were able to identify several consistent sources for indoor microorganisms, particularly outdoor air and skin, mirroring what has been shown in individual studies. Technical variation across studies had a strong effect on comparisons of microbial community assemblages, with differences in experimental protocols limiting our ability to extensively explore the importance of, for example, sampling locality, building function and use, or environmental substrate in structuring indoor microbial communities.ConclusionsWe present a snapshot of an important scientific field in its early stages, where studies have tended to focus on heavy sampling in a few geographic areas. From the practical perspective, this endeavor reinforces the importance of negative “kit” controls in microbiome studies. From the perspective of understanding mechanistic processes in the built environment, this meta-analysis confirms that broad factors, such as geography and building type, structure indoor microbes. However, this exercise suggests that individual studies with common sampling techniques may be more appropriate to explore the relative importance of subtle indoor environmental factors on the indoor microbiome.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40168-015-0108-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Dispersal of bacteria from regional pools to form local species assemblages is facilitated by a variety of mechanisms, including atmospheric transport via transcontinental winds, hitchhiking on migrating animals, circulating ocean currents, subsurface hydrological transport and by anthropogenic means (Gilbert et al, 2009;Grossart et al, 2010;Harding et al, 2011;De Rezende et al, 2013;Smith et al, 2013;Bräuer et al, 2014;Müller et al, 2014). However, environmental filters, biotic interactions, relative fitness differences and stochastic processes (or combinations thereof) within heterogeneous ecological landscapes are the primary factors that dictate which organisms are recruited into local environments and those that are not (Chesson, 2000;Hubbell, 2001;Adler et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disturbance opens recruitment sites for bacterial colonization in activated sludge

Vuono

Munakata-Marr

Spear

et al. 2015

Environmental Microbiology

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Little is known about the role of immigration in shaping bacterial communities or the factors that may dictate success or failure of colonization by bacteria from regional species pools. To address these knowledge gaps, the influence of bacterial colonization into an ecosystem (activated sludge bioreactor) was measured through a disturbance gradient (successive decreases in the parameter solids retention time) relative to stable operational conditions. Through a DNA sequencing approach, we show that the most abundant bacteria within the immigrant community have a greater probability of colonizing the receiving ecosystem, but mostly as low abundance community members. Only during the disturbance do some of these bacterial populations significantly increase in abundance beyond background levels and in few cases become dominant community members post-disturbance. Two mechanisms facilitate the enhanced enrichment of immigrant populations during disturbance: (i) the availability of resources left unconsumed by established species and (ii) the increased availability of niche space for colonizers to establish and displace resident populations. Thus, as a disturbance decreases local diversity, recruitment sites become available to promote colonization. This work advances our understanding of microbial resource management and diversity maintenance in complex ecosystems.

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Microbial Sequencing Analyses Suggest the Presence of a Fecal Veneer on Indoor Climbing Wall Holds

Cited by 10 publications

References 53 publications

The microbiome of the built environment and mental health

The microbiome of the built environment and mental health

Microbiota of the indoor environment: a meta-analysis

Disturbance opens recruitment sites for bacterial colonization in activated sludge

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