Characterizing Microbial Aerosols in Sheepfold Air: Insights into Bacterial Community Structure, Pathogenic Abundance, and Implications for Livestock Biosafety

The presence of environmental microbial aerosols in animal housing significantly influences the health and productivity of the housed animals. Optimal housing conditions and regular monitoring and comprehensive studies of these environments play a pivotal role in enhancing both animal welfare and production efficiency. In this study, the microorganisms present in the air of sheepfolds were investigated to gain insights into the structure of bacterial communities and the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria. A total of 18 air samples were meticulously collected from three distinct sheep farms for analysis. Employing high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing technology, we conducted an in-depth analysis of microbial populations in various sheep pen air samples, enabling us to assess the community composition and diversity. The results revealed a total of 11,207 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) within the bacterial population across the air samples, encompassing 152 phyla, 298 classes, 517 orders, 853 families, 910 genera, and 482 species. Through an in-depth analysis of microbial diversity and a meticulous examination of pathogenic bacteria with high abundance in diverse sheepfold air samples, the study provided valuable insights into the microbial diversity, abundance, and distinctive features of prevalent pathogenic bacteria in sheepfold air. These findings serve as a foundation for guiding effective disease prevention and control strategies within sheep farming environments.