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Home / Equine Research Bank / Appl Microbiol Biotechnol / Fungal aerosol and particulate matter in horse stables in Po...
Applied microbiology and biotechnology2024; 108(1); 426; doi: 10.1007/s00253-024-13258-4

Fungal aerosol and particulate matter in horse stables in Poland.

Abstract: Horses stay in different types of stables; especially during the cold season, they stay inside for most of the day. A stable is also a place where many people spend quite a lot of time either as employees who care for and train horses or as equine enthusiasts. Keeping horses in stables causes their constant exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and molds in the air inside these facilities. The study was conducted in Udórz Stud Farm located in the southern region of Poland. It was carried out in two different types of stables: three runners and two box stables. The study continued for 2 years; samples were collected in each season of the year. The following devices were used: a six-stage Andersen-Graseby cascade impactor, the DustTrak™ II Aerosol Monitor 8530. The obtained results allowed for the conclusion that horses kept in box stables are exposed to lower concentrations of molds and yeasts than those kept in runners. Molds dominated in the stable air during humid periods-spring and autumn-while yeasts were more prominent during summer and winter. It was observed that cleaning stables reduces the morphotic elements of fungi in the air, even though it results in a higher level of particulate matter in the stable air. It should be noted that microclimate conditions were optimal for horses practically throughout the whole year. KEY POINTS: • In stables, there is a high level of air intoxication, both by yeast and by mold fungi • The concentrations of fungi in the air depend on the season and the stable cleaning procedure • The PM concentrations depend on the type of stable.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-07-24 PubMed ID: 39046596PubMed Central: PMC11269330DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13258-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article studies the levels of particulate matter and fungus in horse stables in Poland. It finds that the air in stables has higher concentrations of these elements, and that these levels are influenced by the season and the type of stable.

Study Location and Procedure

  • The study took place at the Udórz Stud Farm in the southern region of Poland. The researchers conducted the study over a two-year period, taking samples during each season to get a comprehensive understanding of how different weather conditions might affect their findings.
  • The stables monitored during the study were of two types: three ‘runners,’ which allows horses to move around, and two ‘box’ stables, where horses are held in individual stalls. This variety was important to gauge the effects of different stable structures on particulate matter and fungus levels.
  • The researchers used two specialized devices to measure the levels of these elements in stable air: a six-stage Andersen-Graseby cascade impactor and the DustTrak™ II Aerosol Monitor 8530.

Findings

  • The study found that box stables had lower levels of molds and yeasts compared to runner stables. This indicated that the type of stable plays a role in the concentration of these elements in the air.
  • Season also influenced the air quality in the stables. Molds were more prevalent in the stables during humid periods, particularly during the spring and autumn. Conversely, yeast was more prominent in the summer and winter seasons. This is likely due to the differing survival conditions and growth habits of molds and yeasts.
  • Cleaning of stables interestingly resulted in higher particulate matter levels but lower fungal elements in the air. Despite this rise in particulate matter, the overall microclimate conditions were found to be mostly optimal for the horses throughout the year.

Conclusion and Key Points

  • The research article revealed that keeping horses in stables exposes them to relatively high concentrations of particulate matter and molds. These elements were found in higher quantities in the air within runner stables, during certain seasons, and after cleaning procedures.
  • The researchers recommend considering these findings in stable management practices to mitigate the impact of these potential pollutants on horses’ health. Although the overall microclimate was largely optimal for the horses, these findings suggest there could still be room for improvement in how stables are maintained.

Cite This Article

APA
Grzyb J, Podstawski Z, Bulski K. (2024). Fungal aerosol and particulate matter in horse stables in Poland. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 108(1), 426. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-024-13258-4

Publication

Applied microbiology and biotechnology
ISSN: 1432-0614
NlmUniqueID: 8406612
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 108
Issue: 1
Pages: 426
PII: 426

Researcher Affiliations

Grzyb, Jacek
  • Department of Microbiology and Biomonitoring, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza Ave 24/28, 30-059, Kraków, Poland. jacek.grzyb@urk.edu.pl.
Podstawski, Zenon
  • Department of Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics of Animals, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza Ave 24/28, 30-059, Kraków, Poland.
Bulski, Karol
  • Department of Microbiology and Biomonitoring, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza Ave 24/28, 30-059, Kraków, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Poland
  • Animals
  • Particulate Matter / analysis
  • Aerosols
  • Fungi / isolation & purification
  • Fungi / classification
  • Seasons
  • Air Microbiology
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / analysis
  • Housing, Animal
  • Yeasts / isolation & purification
  • Yeasts / classification
  • Environmental Monitoring

Grant Funding

  • 011100000-D111 / Uniwersytet Rolniczy im. Hugona Kou0142u0142u0105taja w Krakowie

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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