Archaeal characterization of bioaerosols from cage-housed and floor-housed poultry operations

Although bioaerosols from both cage-housed (CH) and floor-housed (FH) poultry operations are highly concentrated, the concentrations of dust, endotoxin, and bacteria are significantly higher in FH bioaerosols. Workers from CH operations have reported a greater prevalence of respiratory symptoms. To date, archaea have been examined in swine and dairy bioaerosols but not in poultry bioaerosols. The objective of this study was to directly compare methanogenic archaea concentrations in bioaerosols from CH and FH poultry facilities. Bioaerosols were collected from 15 CH and 15 FH poultry operations, using stationary area samplers as well as personal sampling devices. Archaea were quantified and their diversity was investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and band sequencing. Archaea were significantly higher in area and personal bioaerosols of CH poultry operations than in those from FH poultry operations (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) and did not differ significantly between area and personal samples within each barn type. Sequences matching Methanobrevibacter woesei, an archaea previously found in poultry samples, were detected in bioaerosol samples from CH operations. Methanogenic archaea concentrations are significantly different between bioaerosols from CH and FH poultry operations.