Author
|
Submitted to: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2009 Publication Date: 9/1/2009 Citation: Dungan, R.S., Leytem, A.B. 2009. Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies for Determination of Airborne Microorganisms at Concentrated Animal-feeding Operations. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 25:1505-1518. Interpretive Summary: The generation of airborne microorganisms (also called bioaerosols) from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) is a concern from a human and animal health perspective. To better understand the airborne microorganisms found in these environments, a number of collection and analytical techniques have been utilized and will be discussed in this review. The most commonly used collection method utilizes liquid to capture bioaerosols and is suitable with a number of culture-based and molecular-based approaches, such as polymerase chain reaction. However, the vast majority of bioaerosol studies conducted at CAFOs utilize culture-based analyses. Because of the inability to cultivate most microorganisms, we focus our discussion on the application of molecular-based techniques to identify and/or quantify microorganisms, as they have promising application in bioaerosol research. It is hoped that this review paper will encourage researchers to use molecular-based analyses when conducting bioaerosol research in general and at CAFOs. The ability to rapidly characterize airborne microorganisms will help to ensure protection of public and environmental health. Technical Abstract: The generation of bioaerosols from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) is a concern from a human and animal health perspective. To better understand the airborne microorganisms found in these environments, a number of collection and analytical techniques have been utilized and will be discussed in this review. The most commonly used bioaerosol collection method is the liquid impingement format, which is suitable with a number of culture-based and non-culture molecular-based approaches, such as polymerase chain reaction. However, the vast majority of bioaerosol studies conducted at CAFOs utilize culture-based analyses. Because of the limitations often associated with culture-based analyses, we focus our discussion on the application of molecular-based techniques to identify and/or quantify microorganisms, as they have promising application in bioaerosol research. It is hoped that this review paper will encourage researchers to use molecular-based analyses when conducting bioaerosol research in general and at CAFOs. The ability to rapidly characterize airborne microorganisms will help to ensure protection of public and environmental health. |
