Identification of airborne bacteria of Saharan dust storm, Kuwait.

Ah Sharidah, Ahlam

doi:10.21608/joese.2021.94509.1010

Identification of airborne bacteria of Saharan dust storm, Kuwait.

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Ahlam Ah Sharidah

Ardiya, State of Kuwait

10.21608/joese.2021.94509.1010

Abstract

Bacteria carried by desert dust storms have been involved in human disease. A major Saharan and Arabian Peninsula dust storm struck Kuwait on March 4, 2010, carrying large amounts of desert dust through heavily populated areas. Bacterial cultures obtained from dust storm samples were subjected to fatty acid profiling and 16S rDNA sequencing for species identification. Active bacteria isolated and identified included Kokuria spp, Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus luteus, Arthrobacter agilis, Brevibacterium linens, and Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens. Fatty acid analysis revealed a significant difference in bacterial community profile between the airborne samples of the dust storm and the calm periods. Bacteria carried by dust storms include plant and human pathogens. Thus, dust storms facilitate the dispersal of biological particles that may substantially impact downwind ecosystems and human health. The results indicate that there is strong potential for transport of human pathogens by major desert dust storms and there is a well-established link between airborne particulate inhalation and respiratory diseases. Nevertheless, many technological challenges still need to be overcome to fully understand the roles of airborne bacteria in our health and global ecosystems.

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