Evaluation of the role of archaebacteria in lung inflammation in agricultural workers

Abstract

The air quality in pig housing facilities has an impact on the respiratory health of workers in this sector. By going from a traditional production mode to industrial type production, workers are exposed to massive concentrations of dusts, endotoxins and microorganisms. This exposure is responsible for numerous respiratory problems, such as chronic bronchitis, a reduction in respiratory function, and organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS).
Archaebacteria are organisms much like classical bacteria (structure and size), but are usually found in thermal springs, acid environments and the gastrointestinal tract of mammals. The discovery of very high concentrations of this type of microorganism in the air of pig housing facilities opens a new avenue in the study of bioaerosols in the workplace.
This research project will evaluate whether archaebacteria are common in other environments (dairy farms, wastewater purification plants). The archaebacteria will be identified and quantified using molecular methods. Also, the researchers will study worker sensitization to the archaebacteria found in their respective workplaces. This study will be the first in the world to document the presence of archaebacteria in the workplace and the role that these microorganisms could play in workers’ respiratory health.

Produced Under this Project

Scientific Reports

Archaea in Bioaerosols in Dairy Farms, Poultry Houses and Wastewater Treatment Plants and Their Role in Lung Inflammation Research Report: R-827, R-845

Scientific Publications

Archaea in bioaerosols: an unsuspected airborne pro-inflammatory agent
Blais-Lecours P., Marsolais D., Veillette M., Cormier Y., Beaulieu M.-J., Mériaux A., Forster R., Duchaine C.
Source :
in Rural Health: Connecting Research and Policy : Conference of the Canadian Rural Health Research Society, (9th : September 23-25, 2010 : Fredericton, Canada), 2010
Archaebacteria in bioaerosols: an unsuspected airborne pro-inflammatory agent
Blais-Lecours P., Marsolais D., Veillette M., Cormier Y., Beaulieu M.-J., Mériaux A., Forster R., Duchaine C.
Source :
in European Respiratory Society Annual Congress, (September 18-22, 2010 : Barcelona, Spain), 2010
Immunogenic properties of archaeal species found in bioaerosols
Blais Lecours P., Duchaine C., Taillefer M., Veillette M., Tremblay C., Cormier Y., Marsolais D.
Source :
PloS One, vol. 6, no 8, 2011, p. 1-7
Characterization of bioaerosols from dairy barns: reconstructing the puzzle of occupational respiratory diseases using molecular approaches
Blais Lecours P., Veillette M., Marsolais D., Duchaine C.
Source :
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, vol. 78, no 9, 2012, p. 3242-3248
Nouveaux agents immunogènes des bioaérosols: les archaea
Blais Lecours P., Duchaine C., Taillefer M., Veillette M., Cormier Y., Tremblay C., Marsolais D.
Source :
in Journée scientifique du CRIUCQP, (5-6 mai, 2011 : Ste-Foy, Canada), 2011
Differential immunogenic properties of archaea species found in bioaerosols (Poster)
Marsolais D., Blais Lecours P., Duchaine C.
Source :
in Organic Dust Tromso Symposium, (April 3-6, 2011 : Tromso, Norway), 2011
Characterization of bioaerosols from dairy barns: reconstructing the puzzle of occupational respiratory diseases using molecular approaches
Blais Lecours P., Veillette M., Marsolais D., Duchaine C.
Source :
in Annual Canadian Rural Health Research Society Conference, (11th : October 25-27, 2012 : Lévis, Canada), 2012
Caractérisation des bioaérosols des fermes laitières: reconstruire le casse-tête des maladies respiratoires occupationnelles
Blais Lecours P., Veillette M., Marsolais D., Duchaine C.
Source :
in Journées scientifiques de la recherche universitaire du CRIUCQP, (4-5 juin, 2012 : Québec, Canada), 2012
Exposition des humains aux Archaea et impacts sur la santé
Blais Lecours P., Veillette M., Marsolais D., Duchaine C.
Source :
in Congrès de bactériologie intégrative : symbiose et pathogénèse / BSP, (2e : 28-29 novembre, 2013 : Québec, Canada), 2013
The Archaea methanobrevibacter smithii induces immunosuppressive mechanisms which are attenuated by endotoxin
Blais Lecours P., Duchaine C., Bernatchez E., Veillette M., Cormier Y., Blanchet M-R., Marsolais D.
Source :
in American Thoracic Society International Conference, (May 17-22, 2013 : Philadelphia, USA). American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, vol. 187, 2013, p. A2458
Les archaea dans les bioaérosols de fermes laitières, de poulaillers et d'usines d'épuration des eaux usées ainsi que leur rôle dans l'inflammation pulmonaire
Duchaine C.
Source :
Communication présentée au Rendez-vous de la science de l'IRSST, Montréal, Canada.

Additional Information

Type: Project

Number: 0099-8640

Status: Completed

Year of completion: 2014

Research Field: Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention

Team:

Caroline Duchaine (Centre de recherche de l'IUCPQ)
Yvon Cormier (Centre de recherche de l'IUCPQ)
Robert Forster (Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada)
Marc Veillette (Centre de recherche de l'IUCPQ)