SW - Microbiomes and One Health II Flashcards
What is the Urban Microbiome? (3)
- Study of microorganisms in built environments (buildings, cities).
- Ranges from small-scale (e.g., office keyboards) to large-scale (e.g., entire cities).
- Focuses on understanding presence and potential impact.
How can the Urban Microbiome impact future design? (3)
Infection Prevention and Control:
* Assessing risk in healthcare settings.
* Balancing sanitation with maintaining healthy microbiomes.
Public Spaces:
* Understanding microbial composition in homes and public areas.
* Avoid over-sanitisation to protect beneficial microbes.
Ecosystem Approach:
* Recognising interconnectedness of humans, life forms, and built environments.
* Designing spaces that support healthy ecosystems, including microbial ones.
What role does the Built Environment play in hospital infections? (4)
- Crucial for Infection Prevention and Control.
- Public expects hospitals to be clean and safe.
- Studies show hospital ward designs can contribute to infections (e.g., C. difficile).
- Pathogens survive on surfaces, influenced by surface type and cleaning agents.
What is the history of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)? (4)
- Started in the 1950s due to staphylococcal infections.
- Institutionalised in the 1970s with hospital programs.
- Modern IPC is regulated, monitored, and specialised.
- Pandemics increased public awareness of IPC.
Why do outbreaks persist despite IPC efforts? (4)
Microbiome Analysis: Reveals persistent microbial communities in built environments.
Dry Surface Biofilms:
* Emerging field, first described in 2015.
* Difficult to detect and harbour resistant microorganisms.
* Found on disinfected ICU surfaces (>90%, Ledwoch et al., 2022).
What is Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)? (4)
- Complex condition with varied symptoms (e.g., headaches, respiratory issues, fatigue).
- Linked to indoor occupations, not just poor cleaning or ventilation.
- Tied to building materials and disproportionately affects women.
- Potential link to microbial communities in buildings (Bosch et al., 2024).
What are some characteristics of SBS? (5)
- Tends to be linked to indoor occupations but can also occur in homes.
- Not solely controlled by cleaning or ventilation.
- Linked to a wide range of building materials.
- Disproportionately affects or is reported by women.
- Can be linked to specific work/job types and has historical and social aspects
What is the concept of Healthy Porosity? (3)
- Refers to balancing exposure to natural elements and indoor environments.
- Humans are the main source of microbial colonisers in sealed buildings.
- Bosch et al. (2024) introduced the concept to promote healthier interactions.
How is Microbiome Research shaping urban design? (3)
- One Health Approach: Considers interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
- Microbiome-Informed Design: Guides architects to incorporate microbiome knowledge.
- Creating Healthy Microbial Worlds: Urban planning prioritises environments that benefit human health.
What is Microbiome-Inspired Green Infrastructure (MIGI)? (5)
Multi-functional green infrastructure promoting beneficial microbial interactions.
Components:
* Aerobiome: Microbes in air, influenced by plants and environment.
* Phyllosphere Microbiome: Microbes on plant surfaces, improving air quality.
* Rhizosphere Microbiome: Soil microbes critical for plant growth.
* Human/Animal Microbiome: Microbes influencing health and well-being.
What are some benefits of MIGI? (4)
- Improved air quality
- Enhanced biodiversity
- Reduced urban heat island effect
- Potential health benefits for humans
What are some futuristic ideas in Urban Design? (3)
- Air Quality: Focus on improving air quality via resources like the Aerobiome website.
- Probiotic Cities: Robinson et al. (2024) propose integrating nature-based solutions.
- Future Architecture: Photosynthetica showcases designs blending nature and urban spaces.
