Metagenomic detection of viruses in aerosol samples from workers in animal slaughterhouses.

ABSTRACT: Published studies have shown that workers in animal slaughterhouses are at a higher risk of lung cancers as compared to the general population. No specific causal agents have been identified, and exposures to several chemicals have been examined and found to be unrelated. Evidence suggests a biological aetiology as the risk is highest for workers who are exposed to live animals or to biological material containing animal faeces, urine or blood. To investigate possible biological exposures in animal slaughterhouses, we used a metagenomic approach to characterise the profile of organisms present within an aerosol sample. An assessment of aerosol exposures for individual workers was achieved by the collection of personal samples that represent the inhalable fraction of dust/bioaerosol in work

SUBMITTER: Hall RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3743808 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature