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Table 4 Bioaerosol-components in farming environment

From: Respiratory diseases and allergy in farmers working with livestock: a EAACI position paper

Substance

Method of determination

Allergens

Antibody-based assays (sandwich) ELISA

Bacteria and Vira

Viable sampling, microscopic analysis of samples, Non culture-based microbiological markers or surrogate markers such as endotoxin (Gram negatives), muramic acid (Gram positives) DNA or RNA based molecular methods ranging from qPCR to 16S microbiome or full metagenomic analysis C

Endotoxin

Classical “LAL-test” (kinetic chromogenic test) or recombinant factor C assay

Beta(1 → 3) glucan

Factor G pathway of the LAL-test or poly-/monoclonal antibody assays (ELISA)

Pyrogenic activity

Whole blood assay (outcome: IL-1β, IL-6 release)

Moulds

Cultivation of fungi Non culture-based microbiological marker Surrogate markers like ergosterol or extra-cellular polysaccharides specific for Pen/Asp (EPS) DNA or RNA based molecular methods ranging from qPCR to ITS or full metagenomic analysis

Fungal fragments

Non-gonomorphic particles (Halogen immunoassay)

Mycotoxins

ELISA LC–MS (indirect assessment by analyzing settle dust) Biomonitoring