Aerobiology

Introduction
History
Definition
Aerobiological pathway
Fundamentals of Aerobiology
New techniques for advancing aerosol science and aerobiology
Airborne Diseases
Conclusion

1. Seminar Submitted to : Rabia Saba Submitted by : Muhammad Shamroz Gull BS-BOT-F 15 -R 37 BS Botany 8 th Semester (Regular) Session 2015-2019 Department of Biological Sciences University of Sargodha Sub-Campus Bhakkar

2. Aerobiology

3. Contents Introduction History Definition Aerobiological pathway Fundamentals of Aerobiology New techniques for advancing aerosol science and aerobiology Airborne Diseases Conclusion

4. Introduction Aerobiology ( derived from Greek word , aēr “ air ” ; bios , “ life’’ ) is study of organic particles, such as bacteria, fungal spores, very small insects, pollen grains and viruses, which are passively transport by the air. Aerobiologists have traditionally been involved in the measurement and reporting of airborne pollen and fungal spores as a service to allergy sufferers.

5. History The term aerobiology was coined as early as 1930’ s by F. C. Meier who was the plant pathologist working in the Department of Agriculture, USA. This does not mean that aerobiological studies were not carried out prior to the 1930 ’s. In fact, the preliminary aerobiological work and its applications to health and environmental pollution dates back to the period of the Vedas c. 3000 B.C.

6. Aerobiology involves the study of airborne bioparticles i.e particles of biological origin (both from plants as well as animals). Subsequent to the 1930’s. , aerobiology was classified basically into indoor aerobiology and outdoor aerobiology. Some aerobiologists preferred to segregate the study of airborne pollen into a sub branch of aerobiology termed as ' aeropalynology '. The mycologists and plant pathologists preferred to study airborne fungal spores under a separate sub branch of aerobiology termed as ' aeromycology '.

7. Definition The study of airborne microorganisms , pollen , spores and seeds especially as agent of infection. or Aerobiology is the branch of biology that deal with the studies of organic particles , such as bacteria , fungal spores , very small insects , pollen grains and viruses , which are passively transported by the air.

8. Indoor Aerobiology Human Impact Building features Human exposure Outdoor Aerobiology Atmosphere Transport Fungal Spores Pollen

9. Spores, Pollen and Gravity In still air spores (and pollen) fall to the ground at a rate (based on Stokes law) that is proportional to the square of its radius i.e. the bigger the spore the faster it will fall. Aerodynamics also influenced by: Non-spherical shape or irregular shape Ornamentation and aggregation These increase drag and delay deposition

10. The Aerobiological Pathway Dispersal Deposition Take-off Effects of ecological and environmental factors Source Impact 

11. Airborne Transport Perfectly still air seldom occurs. Prevailing air currents delay deposition by gravity. Air flow is complex allowing bioaerosols to be transported over short ranges to global distances. Transport occurs in the turbulent layer of the atmosphere.

12. Turbulent Layer of Atmosphere Air movement shifting and unpredictable. Depends on wind speed , direction , temperature ,  and local eddies caused by roughness of the terrain. Fungal spores are a normal component of the turbulent layer possibly up to 200,000 spores of air however , pollen levels normally two orders of magnitude lower.

13. Fundamentals of Aerobiology

14. Aerosol Mechanics A suspension of tiny particles or droplets in the air , such as dust , mist or fumes. The movement of aerosol is influenced by: Gravity Brownian motion Electric charge Vapors Temperature

15. The chain model of airborne disease Infectious agent Reservoirs or Sources Portal of exit Modes of transmission Portal of entry Susceptible host

16. Bioaerosol Biological agents carried in the air as large molecules, volatile compounds , single particles ,  or clusters of particles that are living or were released from a living organism. Particles sizes are from 0.5 μ m to 100 μ m Capable of eliciting diseases that may be infectious , allergic , or toxigenic with the conditions being acute or chronic.

17. Bioaerosols in Our Environment Indoor Sources Viruses Bacteria Fungal Spores Dust mites Cockroaches Animal Dander - especially cats Outdoor Sources Fungal Spores Pollen Bacteria

18. New techniques for advancing aerosol science and aerobiology

19. Optical techniques, such as optical tweezers and electrodynamic balances, where single aerosol droplets can be captured and levitated within an electric field for periods of time (seconds to days) have been extensively used in atmospheric chemistry. Such techniques are being used to explore individual aerosol particles containing microorganisms , fungal spores , and pollen. Microbial cells respond to environmental stimuli by regulating gene expression resulting in modulation of the quantities and composition of functional proteins available to combat a particular stressful condition.

20. Techniques for isolating single cells, such as flow cytometry and microfluidics, can be combined with techniques such as PCR and next generation sequencing for probing the transcriptional response of single cells. These emerging technologies have the potential to dramatically impact numerous areas of bioaerosol science. They will lead to improved parameterization of the fundamental properties of bioaerosol , such as the interplay between environmental conditions with species longevity or gene expression.

21. Airborne Diseases

22. What is an Air-Borne Disease? Airborne diseases are spread when droplets of pathogens are expelled into the air due to coughing , sneezing or talking. The common cold Most adults get two or three colds a year. Children tend to get them more frequently. The common cold is the top reason for absences at school and work. There are many viruses that can cause a cold, but it’s usually a rhinovirus

23. Chickenpox Highly contagious skin disease. Primarily of children 2 to 7 years of age. Causing agent is Vecirella zooster. Portal of entry is respiratory tract. Signs and symptoms Small vesicles erupt on the face. Fill with pus, rupture, and become covered by scabs.

24. Influenza Respiratory disease Caused by Orthomyxo virus. 3 types based on antigen these are A , B and C. Variation occurs in Orthomyxo virus. Transferred to human as a cycle. Symptoms Cough and congestion Fever Headache and body aches Sore throat

25. Measles (Rubeola) Rubeola: Latin word rubeus , red. Infection of the respiratory system. Highly contagious and it is spread by coughing and sneezing. Causing agent is Morbillivirus. Portal of entry is respiratory tract and conjunctive of eyes. Incubation period in 10 to 21 days. Signs and symptoms First symptoms begin about the tenth day with: Nasal discharge Cough Fever Headache Conjunctivitis

26. Mumps Well known common childhood disease characterized by swelling of the parotid glands , salivary glands and other epithelial issues. Primary agent is Paramyxo viridae . It is a single strand RNA virus. Portal of entry is respiratory tract. Signs and symptoms Swelling and inflammation of parathyroid gland.

27. Small pox Some time dangerous. Universally accepted for 300 years. First reported by Edward jinner. Causing agent is Variola. Single linear double stranded DNA. Signs and symptoms Common cold fever of at least 38.5 °C (101 °F) Backache Headache Nausea Vomiting

28. Whooping cough This respiratory illness causes swelling of the airways that results in a persistent hacking cough. Worldwide, there are about  16 million cases of whooping cough every year resulting in 195,000 deaths.

29. Tuberculosis (TB) TB also known as consumption, is an airborne disease, but this bacterial infection doesn’t spread easily. You generally have to be in close contact with an infected person for a long time. You can be infected without becoming ill or infecting others.

30. Symptoms Diphtheria The disease injures your respiratory system and can damage your heart, kidneys , and nerves. Once a major cause of sickness and death in children.

31. Treatment for common airborne diseases For most airborne diseases, you’ll need plenty of rest and fluids. Further treatment depends on your specific illness. Some airborne diseases, such as chickenpox, have no targeted treatment. However, medications and other supportive care can help relieve symptoms. Some, such as the flu, can be treated with antiviral drugs.

32. Treatment for infants with whooping cough can include antibiotics, and hospitalization is often needed. There are drugs to treat and cure TB, although some strains of TB are drug resistant. Failure to complete the course of medicine can lead to drug resistance and return of symptoms. If caught early enough, diphtheria can be successfully treated with antitoxins and antibiotics.

33. Personal protective equipment

34. Respiratory protection

35. Conclusion Aerobiology is now an active discipline, employing contemporary techniques including computational fluid dynamics to study airborne particle. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodologies to identify infectious agents and quantify airborne particle concentrations in various settings , and epidemiology to track the spread of disease. Practitioners of all kinds agree that the airborne transmission of infectious disease is a problem. Just how big or urgent a problem, however, continues to be debated.