Systematic review of Pulmonary Manifestations by Thermophilic Actinomycetes: A Biological, Clinical and Pathological Analysis.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62486/agmu2025197Keywords:
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Farmer's Lung, Humidifier Lung, thermophilic actinomycetes, Emphysema, Cor pulmonale, Fibrosis, GranulomaAbstract
Bacterial species of the genus Thermoactiomyces are aerobic, Gram-positive, endospore-forming bacteria belonging to the order Bacillales. These bacteria are common in both indoor (as humidifiers) and outdoor (soil and pasture) environments, especially in agricultural settings. A notable characteristic of these bacteria is their ability to produce endospores containing dipicolinic acid, a component that confers resistance to high temperatures and desiccation conditions when grown on organic substrates, the associated pathophysiological process begins when the spores are inhaled and reach the pulmonary alveoli. There, a cell-mediated immune response is triggered, particularly through the activation of T lymphocytes and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. This inflammatory response can lead to lung diseases such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, characterized by symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and fever, associated with exposure to these microorganisms.To analyze the biological and pathophysiological characteristics of bacteria of the Thermoactiomyces genus and their relationship with the development of lung diseases, particularly hypersensitivity pneumonitis, in order to understand the immune response mechanisms and their impact on human health in agricultural and occupational environments.
References
Brinkmann CM, Neuman C, Katouli M, Kurtböke DI. Detection of thermoactinomyces species in selected agricultural substrates from Queensland. Microb Ecol [Internet]. 2014;67(4):804–9. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00248-013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-013-0354-5
-0354-5
Hirsch CF, Ensign JC. Heat activation of Streptomyces viridochromogenes spores. J Bacteriol [Internet]. 1976;126(1):24–30. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jb.126.1.24- 30.1976 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.126.1.24-30.1976
Burrell R, McCullough MJ. Production of thermophilic actinomycete-hay aerosols for use in experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Appl Environ Microbiol [Internet]. 1977;34(6):715–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.34.6.715-719.1977
Available from:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.34.6.71 5-719.1977
Raghu G, Remy-Jardin M, Ryerson CJ, Myers JL, Kreuter M, Vasakova M, et al. Diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in adults. An official ATS/JRS/ALAT clinical practice guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med [Internet]. 2020;202(3):e36–69.
Available from:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1164/rccm.20200 5-2032ST
Thomas R, Qiao S, Yang X. Th17/Treg imbalance: Implications in lung inflammatory diseases. Int J Mol Sci [Internet]. 2023;24(5). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms240548 65 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054865
Kim Y-I, Park J-E, Brand DD, Fitzpatrick EA, Yi A-K. Protein kinase D1 is essential for the proinflammatory response induced by hypersensitivity pneumonitis-causing thermophilic actinomycetes Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula. J Immunol [Internet]. 2010;184(6):3145–56. Available DOI: https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.0903718
from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.0 903718
Selman M, Pardo A, King TE Jr. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: insights in diagnosis and pathobiology. Am J Respir Crit Care Med [Internet]. 2012;186(4):314–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201203-0513CI
Available from:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1164/rccm.20120 3-0513CI
Fernández Pérez ER, Travis WD, Lynch DA, Brown KK, Johannson KA, Selman M, et al. Diagnosis and evaluation of hypersensitivity pneumonitis: CHEST guideline and expert panel report. Chest [Internet]. 2021;160(2):e97–156. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2021.03.066
.03.066
Hasan SA, Eksteen B, Reid D, Paine HV, Alansary A, Johannson K, et al. Role of IL-17A and neutrophils in fibrosis in experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol [Internet]. 2013;131(6):1663–73. Available DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2013.01.015
from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2013.0 1.015
Wang F, Xia H, Yao S. Regulatory T cells are a double-edged sword in pulmonary fibrosis. Int Immunopharmacol [Internet]. 2020;84:106443. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.202 0.106443 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106443
Castonguay MC, Ryu JH, Yi ES, Tazelaar HD. Granulomas and giant cells in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Hum Pathol [Internet]. 2015;46(4):607–13. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humpath.2 014.12.017
Pagán AJ, Ramakrishnan L. The formation and function of granulomas. Annu Rev Immunol [Internet]. 2018;36:639–65. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-im munol-032712-100022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-immunol-032712-100022
Ito T, Connett JM, Kunkel SL, Matsukawa A. The linkage of innate and adaptive immune response during granulomatous development. Front Immunol [Internet]. 2013;4:10. Available from: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2013.00010
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2013
.00010
Algood HMS, Lin PL, Flynn JL. Tumor necrosis factor and chemokine interactions in the formation and maintenance of granulomas in tuberculosis. Clin Infect Dis [Internet]. 2005;41 Suppl 3:S189-93. Available from: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/429994
http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/429994 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/429994
Welsh KJ, Abbott AN, Hwang S-A, Indrigo J, Armitige LY, Blackburn MR, et al. A role for tumour necrosis factor-alpha, complement C5 and interleukin-6 in the initiation and
development of the mycobacterial cord factor trehalose 6,6’-dimycolate induced granulomatous response. Microbiology [Internet]. 2008;154(Pt 6):1813–24. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.2008/ 016923-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.2008/016923-0
Nakamizo S, Kabashima K. Metabolic reprogramming and macrophage polarization in granuloma formation. Int Immunol [Internet]. 2024;36(7):329–38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/intimm/dxae013
Available from:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/intimm/dxa e013
UpToDate [Internet]. Uptodate.com. [cited 2024 Sep 29]. Available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/c auses-clinical-manifestations-evaluati on-and-diagnosis-of-nonspecific-inter stitial-pneumonia?search=extrinsic% 20allergic%20alveolitis&source=sear ch_result&selectedTitle=4~111&usag e_type=default&display_rank=4
Santos-Ribeiro D, Cunha C, Carvalho
A. Humoral pathways of innate immune regulation in granuloma formation. Trends Immunol [Internet]. 2024;45(6):419–27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2024.04.008
Available from:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2024.04. 008
Mi S, Li Z, Yang H-Z, Liu H, Wang J-P, Ma Y-G, et al. Blocking IL-17A promotes the resolution of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis via TGF-beta1-dependent and
-independent mechanisms. J Immunol [Internet]. 2011;187(6):3003–14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1004081
Available from:
http://dx.doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1 004081
Jiang D, Xiao H, Zheng X, Dong R, Zhang H, Dai H. Interleukin-17A plays a key role in pulmonary fibrosis following Propionibacterium acnes-induced sarcoidosis-like inflammation. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) [Internet]. 2023;248(14):1181–90. Available DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/15353702231182224
from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1535370223 1182224
Anwar J, Kong WT, Balakrishnan B. Updates in hypersensitivity pneumonitis: A narrative review. Curr Pulmonol Rep [Internet]. 2022;11(4):106–15. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13665-022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13665-022-00294-6
-00294-6
Koschel DS, Cardoso C, Wiedemann B, Höffken G, Halank M. Pulmonary hypertension in chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Lung [Internet]. 2012;190(3):295–302.
Available from:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00408-011- 9361-9
Zergham AS, Heller D. Farmer’s lung. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
Lee J. Neumonitis por hipersensibilidad [Internet]. Manual MSD versión para público general. [cited 2024 Sep 29]. Available from: https://www.msdmanuals.com/es-co/h ogar/trastornos-del-pulmón-y-las-vías
-respiratorias/enfermedades-pulmonar es-intersticiales/neumonitis-por-hiper sensibilidad
UpToDate [Internet]. Uptodate.com. [cited 2024 Sep 29]. Available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/y persensitivity-pneumonitis-extrinsic-a llergic-alveolitis-clinical-manifestatio ns-and-diagnosis?search=neumonitis
%20por%20hipersensibilidad%20acti nomicetos&source=search_result&sel ectedTitle=2~112&usage_type=defau lt&display_rank=2
Soumagne T, Chardon M-L, Dournes G, Laurent L, Degano B, Laurent F, et al. Emphysema in active farmer’s lung disease. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017;12(6):e0178263. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pon e.0178263 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178263
Soumagne T, Chardon M-L, Dournes G, Laurent L, Degano B, Laurent F, et al. Emphysema in active farmer’s lung disease. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017;12(6):e0178263. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pon e.0178263 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178263
Girard M, Lacasse Y, Cormier Y. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Allergy [Internet].
;64(3):322–34. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1398-9995. 2009.01949.x
Baqir M, White D, Ryu JH. Emphysematous changes in hypersensitivity pneumonitis: A retrospective analysis of 12 patients. Respir Med Case Rep [Internet]. 2018;24:25–9. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retriev e/pii/S2213007118300480 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmcr.2018.03.012
Jacob J, Odink A, Brun AL, Macaluso C, de Lauretis A, Kokosi M, et al. Functional associations of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis and emphysema with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Respir Med [Internet]. 2018;138:95–101. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retriev e/pii/S0954611118301033 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2018.03.031
Park JH, Cox-Ganser JM, White SK, Laney AS, Caulfield SM, Turner WA, Sumner AD, Kreiss K. Bacteria in a water-damaged building: associations of actinomycetes and non-tuberculous mycobacteria with respiratory health in occupants. Indoor Air. 2017 Jan;27(1):24-33. doi: 10.1111/ina.12278. Epub 2016 Jan 21. PMID: 26717439; PMCID: PMC5035226. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12278
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/267 17439/
Simonian PL, Roark CL, Wehrmann F, Lanham AK, Diaz del Valle F, Born WK, O'Brien RL, Fontenot AP. Th17-polarized immune response in a murine model of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and lung fibrosis. J Immunol. 2009 Jan 1;182(1):657-65. PMID: 19109199; PMCID: PMC2766086. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.182.1.657
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/191 09199/
Kurup VP, Barboriak JJ, Fink JN, Scribner G. Immunologic cross-reactions among thermophilic actinomycetes associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1976 May;57(5):417-21. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(76)90056-7. PMID: 816841. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-6749(76)90056-7
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/816841/
Vasacova M MF, Walsh S, Leslie K, Raghu G. Hypersensibity pneumonitis: perspectives in diagnosis and management. Am Jour Respir Crit Care. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28598197/
Koschel DS, Cardoso C, Wiedemann B, Höffken G, Halank M. Pulmonary hypertension in chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Lung. 2012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-011-9361-9
Jun;190(3):295-302. doi: 10.1007/s00408-011-9361-9. Epub 2012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-011-9361-9
Jan 19. PMID: 22258419.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22258419/
Barrios R, Kerr KM. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. In: Color Atlas and Text of Pulmonary Pathology, 2nd Edition, Cagle PT, Allen TC, Barrios R, et al (Eds), Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008. Copyright © 2008
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. https://onesearch.nihlibrary.ors.nih.gov/disc overy/fulldisplay?docid=alma99100035567 9704686&context=L&vid=01NIH_INST:N IH&lang=en&adaptor=Local%20Search%2 0Engine
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Anlly Añez, José Penido, Lyra Hsieh, Mariano Guerra, Luis Aparicio (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.
