MICROBIAL VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS FROM DUST-ASSOCIATED FUNGI AND BACTERIA: APPROACH TO MITIGATING HYPERSENSITIVITY PNEUMONITIS AND ASPERGILLOSIS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Abstract

The problem of indoor air quality in developing countries is one of the most serious public health issues and is mainly related to the microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) emission from the bacteria and fungi present in dust. The present review highlights MVOCs participation in the induction of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and aspergillosis, which are two respiratory diseases that affect the population of resource-poor settings to a greater extent. The paper discusses the complex relationships among environmental factors, microbial communities in home dust, and the immune system that they trigger. The review provides an overview of the current situation with respect to the MVOC profiles of various indoor fungi like Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys species, plus the bacterial contributions to the indoor volatilome. We also underline the challenges in detecting the pollutants and exposure assessment, as well as the socioeconomic factors that increase the risk in developing countries. However, on the other hand, we suggest the practically applicable and cost-effective solutions for less privileged environments, like better ventilation designs, moisture control interventions, and community health education programs. The review ends with suggestions for research priorities and policy initiatives that could greatly relieve the burden of MVOC-related respiratory diseases among the vulnerable population segments.