Airborne microorganisms and health problems

Many human diseases can be transmitted by the aerial route, particularly by droplet infection. Viral infections such as infiuenza, common cold, measles, smallpox and poliomyelitis can be spread by this route. Bacterial and fungal infections acquired by droplet infection are summarized in Tables 6.1 and 6.2. Similar and other diseases can occur in cattle and poultry. 

The importance of the serial route in transmission of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci can be indirectly illustrated by findings in the environment, patients and the nursing personnel of a surgical clinic in Bratislava (Czechoslovakia) [8j. The results were obtained during corroborative studies on the distribution of resistant staphylococci from different environments in Slovakia [11]. The strains of coagulase-positive strains of Staphylococcus aureus from the clinic were tested for their sensitivity to six common antibiotics of that time. With staphylococci isolated from the environment, patients and the personnel, the percentages of resistance to benzylpeni-cillin, streptomycin, chlorotetracycline, erythromycin, chloramphenicol and vancomycin are shown in Fig. 6.1. The percentages of resistance to the individual antibiotics were positively correlated with the consumption of their preparations at the clinic. 

Microorganisms present in a working environment can represent an occupation hazard. Fungal spores and conidia are usually present in air, but their numbers and types are controlled by a variety of factors (humidity, seasons, time of day, location, etc.) this is particularly true on farms. 

Human pathogens are present in wastewaters at all stages of handling, and if aerosols are produced, they may be carried over long distances by 

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis Farmer s lung Mouldy hay Micropolyspora faeni 

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