IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Characterization of bioaerosols by molecular microbial ecology

Abstract

Exposed to organic contaminants and gases, workers in pig housing facilities risk developing chronic respiratory inflammation. Several studies have documented this situation, but it was always difficult to link the causes and effects. A number of studies on biodiversity in the environment have been based solely on the culture of microorganisms, which limits the microbial biodiversity and underestimates the microbiological load. Other methods, based on molecular biology, have been used to analyze the microbiology of soils, but not that of bioaerosols. The researchers applied these two methods for comparison purposes and studied the impact of seasons and the manure management method on the type and load of the bioaerosols in pig operations. They show the usefulness of molecular biology tools in characterizing bioaerosols in an agricultural environment, but conclude that the analyses based on this method also have limitations that could have an impact on the extent of the biodiversity observed. As a result, classical culture methods for microorganisms remain an essential complement.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 0099-4750
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 2008
Team:
  • Caroline Duchaine (Centre de recherche de l'IUCPQ)