Presence and Distribution of Human-Related Microsporidian Spores across Different Topsoil Areas across Alcalá de Henares (Spain)
Humans can potentially be exposed to <i>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</i> and <i>Encephalitozoon</i> spp. from topsoils when playing or spending time in recreational areas. Two hundred and seventy-seven topsoil samples were collected across Alcalá de Henares (Spain) in July 2017: o...
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2023-11-01
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| author | Antonio Peña-Fernández Manuel Higueras María del Carmen Lobo-Bedmar Fernando Izquierdo Umar Anjum |
| author_facet | Antonio Peña-Fernández Manuel Higueras María del Carmen Lobo-Bedmar Fernando Izquierdo Umar Anjum |
| author_sort | Antonio Peña-Fernández |
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| description | Humans can potentially be exposed to <i>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</i> and <i>Encephalitozoon</i> spp. from topsoils when playing or spending time in recreational areas. Two hundred and seventy-seven topsoil samples were collected across Alcalá de Henares (Spain) in July 2017: one hundred and fifty-five urban, sixty industrial and twelve from a public garden. Simultaneous detection was performed using a SYBR Green real-time PCR following the appropriate extraction of DNA with Fast-Prep for Soil<sup>®</sup>. The organic matter content (OM), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and soil texture (percentages of sand, clay and silt) were also determined. <i>E. bieneusi</i> was detected in nine (five urban, four industrial); meanwhile, <i>Encephalitozoon</i> spp. was detected in 22 topsoil samples (sixteen urban, six industrial; ten <i>E. intestinalis,</i> nine <i>E. intestinalis/E. hellem</i> and three <i>E. cuniculi</i>). The presence of <i>E. bieneusi</i> was associated with urban soils that presented lower EC (0.50 vs. 0.71 dS/m; <i>p</i>-value = 0.0110), as this factor may provide a richer environment for the survival of spores. The presence of microsporidian spores was higher in those topsoils with a higher OM content for <i>E. bieneusi</i> (6.96% vs. 4.98%; <i>p</i>-value = 0.0342) and <i>E. intestinalis</i>/<i>E. hellem</i> in one of the four quadrants into which the urban area was divided (5.54% vs. 3.12%; <i>p</i>-value = 0.0007). <i>E. intestinalis</i> is present in industrial topsoils with significantly lower contents of sand (14.5% vs. 21.74; <i>p</i>-value = 0.00003) but higher contents of silt (78.5% vs. 64.9%; <i>p</i>-value = 0.0229), which might be attributed to the differences in the capacity of topsoils to retain moisture, depending on their texture. Moreover, the provision of enough oxygen might play a role in the higher presence of <i>E. intestinalis/E. hellem</i> in urban topsoils with lower contents of clay (11% vs. 19%; <i>p</i>-value = 0.0200). A better understanding of these potential associations is critical in selecting appropriate decontamination techniques and strategies to prevent and minimise human exposure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c20a15f14105467991d938f53da811b3 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-c20a15f14105467991d938f53da811b32025-08-20T02:55:44ZengMDPI AGBiology and Life Sciences Forum2673-99762023-11-01311510.3390/ECM2023-16461Presence and Distribution of Human-Related Microsporidian Spores across Different Topsoil Areas across Alcalá de Henares (Spain)Antonio Peña-Fernández0Manuel Higueras1María del Carmen Lobo-Bedmar2Fernando Izquierdo3Umar Anjum4Department of Surgery, Medical and Social Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, SpainScientific Computation & Technological Innovation Center (SCoTIC), Universidad de La Rioja, 26004 Logroño, SpainDepartamento de Investigación Agroambiental, IMIDRA, Finca el Encín, Crta. Madrid-Barcelona Km, 38.2, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, SpainFacultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, SpainLeicester School of Allied Health Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UKHumans can potentially be exposed to <i>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</i> and <i>Encephalitozoon</i> spp. from topsoils when playing or spending time in recreational areas. Two hundred and seventy-seven topsoil samples were collected across Alcalá de Henares (Spain) in July 2017: one hundred and fifty-five urban, sixty industrial and twelve from a public garden. Simultaneous detection was performed using a SYBR Green real-time PCR following the appropriate extraction of DNA with Fast-Prep for Soil<sup>®</sup>. The organic matter content (OM), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and soil texture (percentages of sand, clay and silt) were also determined. <i>E. bieneusi</i> was detected in nine (five urban, four industrial); meanwhile, <i>Encephalitozoon</i> spp. was detected in 22 topsoil samples (sixteen urban, six industrial; ten <i>E. intestinalis,</i> nine <i>E. intestinalis/E. hellem</i> and three <i>E. cuniculi</i>). The presence of <i>E. bieneusi</i> was associated with urban soils that presented lower EC (0.50 vs. 0.71 dS/m; <i>p</i>-value = 0.0110), as this factor may provide a richer environment for the survival of spores. The presence of microsporidian spores was higher in those topsoils with a higher OM content for <i>E. bieneusi</i> (6.96% vs. 4.98%; <i>p</i>-value = 0.0342) and <i>E. intestinalis</i>/<i>E. hellem</i> in one of the four quadrants into which the urban area was divided (5.54% vs. 3.12%; <i>p</i>-value = 0.0007). <i>E. intestinalis</i> is present in industrial topsoils with significantly lower contents of sand (14.5% vs. 21.74; <i>p</i>-value = 0.00003) but higher contents of silt (78.5% vs. 64.9%; <i>p</i>-value = 0.0229), which might be attributed to the differences in the capacity of topsoils to retain moisture, depending on their texture. Moreover, the provision of enough oxygen might play a role in the higher presence of <i>E. intestinalis/E. hellem</i> in urban topsoils with lower contents of clay (11% vs. 19%; <i>p</i>-value = 0.0200). A better understanding of these potential associations is critical in selecting appropriate decontamination techniques and strategies to prevent and minimise human exposure.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/31/1/5microsporidiaurban topsoilsphysicochemical propertiessoil texturerisksAlcalá de Henares |
| spellingShingle | Antonio Peña-Fernández Manuel Higueras María del Carmen Lobo-Bedmar Fernando Izquierdo Umar Anjum Presence and Distribution of Human-Related Microsporidian Spores across Different Topsoil Areas across Alcalá de Henares (Spain) Biology and Life Sciences Forum microsporidia urban topsoils physicochemical properties soil texture risks Alcalá de Henares |
| title | Presence and Distribution of Human-Related Microsporidian Spores across Different Topsoil Areas across Alcalá de Henares (Spain) |
| title_full | Presence and Distribution of Human-Related Microsporidian Spores across Different Topsoil Areas across Alcalá de Henares (Spain) |
| title_fullStr | Presence and Distribution of Human-Related Microsporidian Spores across Different Topsoil Areas across Alcalá de Henares (Spain) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Presence and Distribution of Human-Related Microsporidian Spores across Different Topsoil Areas across Alcalá de Henares (Spain) |
| title_short | Presence and Distribution of Human-Related Microsporidian Spores across Different Topsoil Areas across Alcalá de Henares (Spain) |
| title_sort | presence and distribution of human related microsporidian spores across different topsoil areas across alcala de henares spain |
| topic | microsporidia urban topsoils physicochemical properties soil texture risks Alcalá de Henares |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/31/1/5 |
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