ATS 2021 will feature presentations of original research from accepted abstracts. Mini Symposia and Thematic Poster Sessions are abstract based sessions.
Please use the form below to browse scientific abstracts and case reports accepted for ATS 2021. Abstracts presented at the ATS 2021 will be published in the Online Abstract Issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Volume 203, May 3, 2021.
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High Occupational Exposure to Printer Toner-Emitted Nanoparticles Associates with Altered Environmental and Airway Microbiomes
Session Title
D10 - D010 ROLE OF MICROBIOME AND BACTERIOPHAGES IN PULMONARY INFECTIONS
Abstract
A1221 - High Occupational Exposure to Printer Toner-Emitted Nanoparticles Associates with Altered Environmental and Airway Microbiomes
Author Block: F. X. Ivan1, M. Mac Aogáin1, N. M. Ali1, T. Y. Poh1, P. Y. Tiew1, M. I. Setyawati2, D. Bello3, P. Demokritou3, K. W. Ng2, S. H. Chotirmall1; 1Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore, 2School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore, Singapore, 3Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, United States.
Rationale: While occupational exposure to emitted printer-toner nanoparticles has established inflammatory and cardiorespiratory effects, little is known about its impact on environmental (air) and host (airway) microbiomes. Methods: In prospective analysis that recruited five printing companies across Singapore, we collected and sequenced n=30 air samples (6 per company) from office and printing areas and, n=70 respiratory specimens from workers stationed in the office (unexposed: 20 samples from n=10 individuals) and printing room (exposed: 50 samples from n=12 individuals) respectively. Samples were obtained at the start (Monday) and end (Friday) of the work week. All samples were subjected to targeted amplicon sequencing to determine air and host bacteriomes (16S rRNA) and mycobiomes (18S ITS) and analysis performed by particle exposure levels with 'high' exposure defined as a 3-fold higher particle concentration in the printing versus office area in each company. Results: We identified significant differences in air microbiomes in the printing compared to respective office area (p=0.017 for bacteriomes and p=0.019 for mycobiomes). Interestingly, when exposed workers at 'high' exposure companies were assessed, significant differences in host bacteriomes (p=0.008) and mycobiomes (p=0.003) were observed. No such relationship was seen in unexposed (office area) workers irrespective of company exposure level. Key bacterial pathogens including Mycoplasma, Acinetobacter, and Fusobacterium characterised printing floors, while office areas had detectable Prevotella. Conclusion: We demonstrate, for the first time, altered environmental and host respiratory microbiomes in relation to workplace exposure to printer toner-emitted nanoparticles. Funding: This research is supported by the Nanyang Technological University - Harvard School of Public Health Initiative for Sustainable Nanotechnology (NTU-Harvard SusNano; NTU-HSPH 17001).
Author Block: F. X. Ivan1, M. Mac Aogáin1, N. M. Ali1, T. Y. Poh1, P. Y. Tiew1, M. I. Setyawati2, D. Bello3, P. Demokritou3, K. W. Ng2, S. H. Chotirmall1; 1Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore, 2School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore, Singapore, 3Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, United States.
Rationale: While occupational exposure to emitted printer-toner nanoparticles has established inflammatory and cardiorespiratory effects, little is known about its impact on environmental (air) and host (airway) microbiomes. Methods: In prospective analysis that recruited five printing companies across Singapore, we collected and sequenced n=30 air samples (6 per company) from office and printing areas and, n=70 respiratory specimens from workers stationed in the office (unexposed: 20 samples from n=10 individuals) and printing room (exposed: 50 samples from n=12 individuals) respectively. Samples were obtained at the start (Monday) and end (Friday) of the work week. All samples were subjected to targeted amplicon sequencing to determine air and host bacteriomes (16S rRNA) and mycobiomes (18S ITS) and analysis performed by particle exposure levels with 'high' exposure defined as a 3-fold higher particle concentration in the printing versus office area in each company. Results: We identified significant differences in air microbiomes in the printing compared to respective office area (p=0.017 for bacteriomes and p=0.019 for mycobiomes). Interestingly, when exposed workers at 'high' exposure companies were assessed, significant differences in host bacteriomes (p=0.008) and mycobiomes (p=0.003) were observed. No such relationship was seen in unexposed (office area) workers irrespective of company exposure level. Key bacterial pathogens including Mycoplasma, Acinetobacter, and Fusobacterium characterised printing floors, while office areas had detectable Prevotella. Conclusion: We demonstrate, for the first time, altered environmental and host respiratory microbiomes in relation to workplace exposure to printer toner-emitted nanoparticles. Funding: This research is supported by the Nanyang Technological University - Harvard School of Public Health Initiative for Sustainable Nanotechnology (NTU-Harvard SusNano; NTU-HSPH 17001).
