Spatial analysis of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial communities in a large-scale commercial layer facility
This study investigated the spatial distribution patterns of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial community structures in a modern commercial layer facility housing approximately 50,000 laying hens equipped with advanced environmental control systems. Air samples were systematically colle...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Poultry Science |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125002603 |
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| author | Zhirong Zhang Senhong Ying Rong Xiang |
| author_facet | Zhirong Zhang Senhong Ying Rong Xiang |
| author_sort | Zhirong Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigated the spatial distribution patterns of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial community structures in a modern commercial layer facility housing approximately 50,000 laying hens equipped with advanced environmental control systems. Air samples were systematically collected at 50 strategically distributed locations using a six-stage Andersen microbial air sampler, while environmental samples (dust, manure, intestinal contents) were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Results demonstrated a distinct longitudinal gradient in airborne bacterial concentrations, progressively increasing from the air inlet (883±177 CFU/m³) to exhaust fans (12,650±813 CFU/m³), with a facility-wide mean concentration of 5,618±530 CFU/m³. Spatial analysis revealed significant bacterial concentration heterogeneity, with elevated bacterial loads (>8,000 CFU/m³) concentrated in central regions while peripheral areas maintained lower concentrations (<6,000 CFU/m³). Taxonomic profiling identified Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes as predominant phyla across all sample types, with significant compartment-specific distribution patterns: Firmicutes dominated intestinal samples (72.9 %), Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were enriched in posterior dust and manure samples, while Acinetobacter exhibited highest abundance (19.90 %) in anterior dust. Differential abundance analysis demonstrated significant enrichment of fecal-associated bacteria (particularly Bacteroides and Escherichia coli) in posterior sampling locations, establishing direct correlations between environmental parameters and microbial dissemination patterns.This comprehensive spatial-microbial analysis elucidates critical factors influencing bacterial dispersion within intensive poultry production environments, providing the empirical foundation for implementing concentration-based risk stratification management systems and targeted interventions to enhance biosecurity, minimize disease transmission, and optimize poultry health in commercial operations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e51d0bfff1c246538fa0382ea5552f6d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0032-5791 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Poultry Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-e51d0bfff1c246538fa0382ea5552f6d2025-08-20T02:30:59ZengElsevierPoultry Science0032-57912025-05-01104510502110.1016/j.psj.2025.105021Spatial analysis of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial communities in a large-scale commercial layer facilityZhirong Zhang0Senhong Ying1Rong Xiang2Precision Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR ChinaPrecision Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR ChinaPrecision Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China; Corresponding author.This study investigated the spatial distribution patterns of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial community structures in a modern commercial layer facility housing approximately 50,000 laying hens equipped with advanced environmental control systems. Air samples were systematically collected at 50 strategically distributed locations using a six-stage Andersen microbial air sampler, while environmental samples (dust, manure, intestinal contents) were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Results demonstrated a distinct longitudinal gradient in airborne bacterial concentrations, progressively increasing from the air inlet (883±177 CFU/m³) to exhaust fans (12,650±813 CFU/m³), with a facility-wide mean concentration of 5,618±530 CFU/m³. Spatial analysis revealed significant bacterial concentration heterogeneity, with elevated bacterial loads (>8,000 CFU/m³) concentrated in central regions while peripheral areas maintained lower concentrations (<6,000 CFU/m³). Taxonomic profiling identified Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes as predominant phyla across all sample types, with significant compartment-specific distribution patterns: Firmicutes dominated intestinal samples (72.9 %), Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were enriched in posterior dust and manure samples, while Acinetobacter exhibited highest abundance (19.90 %) in anterior dust. Differential abundance analysis demonstrated significant enrichment of fecal-associated bacteria (particularly Bacteroides and Escherichia coli) in posterior sampling locations, establishing direct correlations between environmental parameters and microbial dissemination patterns.This comprehensive spatial-microbial analysis elucidates critical factors influencing bacterial dispersion within intensive poultry production environments, providing the empirical foundation for implementing concentration-based risk stratification management systems and targeted interventions to enhance biosecurity, minimize disease transmission, and optimize poultry health in commercial operations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125002603Airborne bacterial concentrationSpatial distributionMicrobial communitycommercial laying-hen facility |
| spellingShingle | Zhirong Zhang Senhong Ying Rong Xiang Spatial analysis of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial communities in a large-scale commercial layer facility Poultry Science Airborne bacterial concentration Spatial distribution Microbial community commercial laying-hen facility |
| title | Spatial analysis of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial communities in a large-scale commercial layer facility |
| title_full | Spatial analysis of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial communities in a large-scale commercial layer facility |
| title_fullStr | Spatial analysis of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial communities in a large-scale commercial layer facility |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial analysis of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial communities in a large-scale commercial layer facility |
| title_short | Spatial analysis of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial communities in a large-scale commercial layer facility |
| title_sort | spatial analysis of airborne bacterial concentrations and microbial communities in a large scale commercial layer facility |
| topic | Airborne bacterial concentration Spatial distribution Microbial community commercial laying-hen facility |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125002603 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zhirongzhang spatialanalysisofairbornebacterialconcentrationsandmicrobialcommunitiesinalargescalecommerciallayerfacility AT senhongying spatialanalysisofairbornebacterialconcentrationsandmicrobialcommunitiesinalargescalecommerciallayerfacility AT rongxiang spatialanalysisofairbornebacterialconcentrationsandmicrobialcommunitiesinalargescalecommerciallayerfacility |