scholarly journals Comparison of Two Models to Estimate Deposition of Fungi and Bacteria in the Human Respiratory Tract

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 561
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Sagona ◽  
Lynn E. Secondo ◽  
Gediminas Mainelis

Understanding the deposition of bioaerosols in the respiratory system may help determine the risk of disease; however, measuring deposition fraction in-situ is difficult. Computational models provide estimates of particle deposition fraction for given breathing and particle parameters; however, these models traditionally have not focused on bioaerosols. We calculated deposition fractions in an average-sized adult with a new bioaerosol-specific lung deposition model, BAIL, and with two multiple-path models for three different breathing scenarios: “default” (subject sitting upright and breathing nasally), “light exercise”, and “mouth breathing”. Within each scenario, breathing parameters and bioaerosol characteristics were kept the same across all three models. BAIL generally calculated a higher deposition fraction in the extrathoracic (ET) region and a lower deposition fraction in the alveolar region than the multiple-path models. Deposition fractions in the tracheobronchial region were similar among the three models; total deposition fraction patterns tended to be driven by the ET deposition fraction, with BAIL resulting in higher deposition in some scenarios. The difference between deposition fractions calculated by BAIL and other models depended on particle size, with BAIL generally indicating lower total deposition for bacteria-sized bioaerosols. We conclude that BAIL predicts somewhat lower deposition and, potentially, reduced risk of illness from smaller bioaerosols that cause illness due to deposition in the alveolar region. On the other hand, it suggests higher deposition in the ET region, especially for light exercise and mouth-breathing scenarios. Additional comparisons between the models for other breathing scenarios, people’s age, and different bioaerosol particles will help improve our understanding of bioaerosol deposition.

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vu Khac Hoang Bui ◽  
Ju-Young Moon ◽  
Minhe Chae ◽  
Duckshin Park ◽  
Young-Chul Lee

The measurement of deposited aerosol particles in the respiratory tract via in vivo and in vitro approaches is difficult due to those approaches’ many limitations. In order to overcome these obstacles, different computational models have been developed to predict the deposition of aerosol particles inside the lung. Recently, some remarkable models have been developed based on conventional semi-empirical models, one-dimensional whole-lung models, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics models, and artificial neural networks for the prediction of aerosol-particle deposition with a high accuracy relative to experimental data. However, these models still have some disadvantages that should be overcome shortly. In this paper, we take a closer look at the current research trends as well as the future directions of this research area.


1985 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Wilson ◽  
F. C. Hiller ◽  
J. D. Wilson ◽  
R. C. Bone

Theoretical models of particle deposition in the respiratory tract predict high fractional deposition for particles of less than 0.1 micron, but there are few confirming experimental data for those predictions. We have measured the deposition fraction of a nonhygroscopic aerosol in the human respiratory tract. The aerosol had a count mean diameter of 0.044 micron SD of 1.93, as measured with an electrical aerosol analyzer, and was produced from a 0.01% solution of bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate using a condensation generator. Subjects inhaled the aerosol using a controlled respiratory pattern of 1 liter tidal volume, 12/min. Deposition was calculated as the difference in concentration between inhaled and exhaled aerosol of five size fractions corrected for system deposition and dead-space constants. Three deposition studies were done on each of five normal male volunteers. Means (+/- SE) for the five size fractions were 0.024 micron, 0.71 +/- 0.06; 0.043 micron, 0.62 +/- 0.06; 0.075 micron, 0.53 +/- 0.05; 0.13 micron, 0.44 +/- 0.04; and 0.24 micron, 0.37 +/- 0.06. These data demonstrate that deposition of inhaled particles in the 0.024- to 0.24-micron size range is high and increases with decreasing size. These observations agree with and validate predictions of mathematical models.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Sturm

In the study presented here deposition of spheres and nonspherical particles with various aspect ratios (0.01–100) in the human respiratory tract was theoretically modeled. Shape of the nonspherical particles was considered by the application of the latest aerodynamic diameter concepts. Particle deposition was predicted by using a stochastic model of the lung geometry and simulating particle transport trajectories according to the random-walk algorithm. Concerning fibers total deposition is significantly enhanced with respect to that of spheres for μm-sized particles, whereby at normal breathing conditions peripheral lung compartments serve as primary deposition targets. In the case of oblate disks, total deposition becomes mostly remarkable for submicron particles, with the bronchioli and alveoli being targeted to a high extent. Enhancement of the aerodynamic diameter and/or flow rate generally causes a displacement of deposition maxima from peripheral to more proximal lung regions. From these findings, it can be concluded that these particle classes may represent tremendous occupational hazards, especially if they are attached with radioactive elements or heavy metals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 793-809
Author(s):  
Nguyen Lu Phuong ◽  
Nguyen Dang Khoa ◽  
Kazuhide Ito

This study predicted the total and regional deposition of particles in realistic upper human airways and demonstrated the effects of intersubject variations in deposition fraction. Two airway models were studied under flow rates ranging from 0.45 to 2.4 m3/h and particle aerodynamic diameters from 1 to 10 μm. The total deposition predictions were validated using in vivo and in vitro experimental data. The intricate airway structures generated heterogeneities of airflow distributions and corresponding particle dispersions and depositions in the models. Nevertheless, with modified inertial parameters, the total deposition fraction curves of the two human upper airway models, as functions of flow rates, converged to a single function. However, regional particle deposition fractions differed significantly among the two models. The surface pressure and wall-shear stress distribution were investigated to assess the relationship of surface pressure and wall-shear stress with hotspot locations in upper airways of both models. For one subject (model A), the central nasal passage regions were found to be sites of higher deposition over the range of particle sizes and flow rates targeted in this study. For the other subject (model B), higher deposition was mostly observed in the vestibule region, caused due to particle inertia as the airway consisted of curvatures. The accelerated flow regions acted as a natural filter to high inertial particles. The results indicated that both total and regional depositions exhibited significant intersubject differences.


1998 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 1834-1844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong S. Kim ◽  
S. C. Hu

We measured detailed regional deposition patterns of inhaled particles in healthy adult male ( n = 11; 25 ± 4 yr of age) and female ( n = 11; 25 ± 3 yr of age) subjects by means of a serial bolus aerosol delivery technique for monodisperse fine [particle diameter ( D p) = 1 μm] and coarse aerosols ( D p = 3 and 5 μm). The bolus aerosol (40 ml half-width) was delivered to a specific volumetric depth (Vp) of the lung ranging from 100 to 500 ml with a 50-ml increment, and local deposition fraction (LDF) was assessed for each of the 10 local volumetric regions. In all subjects, the deposition distribution pattern was very uneven with respect to Vp, showing characteristic unimodal curves with respect to particle size and flow rate. However, the unevenness was more pronounced in women. LDF tended to be greater in all regions of the lung in women than in men for D p = 1 μm. For D p = 3 and 5 μm, LDF showed a marked enhancement in the shallow region of Vp ≤ 200 ml in women compared with men ( P < 0.05). LDF in women was comparable to or smaller than those of men in deep lung regions of Vp > 200 ml. Total lung deposition was comparable between men and women for fine particles but was consistently greater in women than men for coarse particles regardless of flow rates used: the difference ranged from 9 to 31% and was greater with higher flow rates ( P < 0.05). The results indicate that 1) particle deposition characteristics differ between healthy men and women under controlled breathing conditions and 2) deposition in women is greater than that in men.


1975 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 311-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Heyder ◽  
L. Armbruster ◽  
J. Gebhart ◽  
E. Grein ◽  
W. Stahlhofen

Author(s):  
Digamber Singh

The human respiratory tract has a complex airflow pattern. If any obstruction is present in the airways, it will change the airflow pattern and deposit particles inside the airways. This is the concern of breath quality (inspired air), and it is decreasing due to the unplanned production of material goods. This is a primary cause of respiratory illness (asthma, cancer, etc.). Therefore, it is important to identify the flow characteristics in the human airways and airways with a glomus tumour with particle deposition. A numerical diagnosis is presented with an asymmetric unsteady-state light breathing condition (10 l/min). An in vitro human respiratory tract model has been reconstructed using computed tomography scan techniques and an artificial glomus tumour developed 2 cm above a carina on the posterior wall of the trachea. The transient flow characteristics are numerically simulated with a realizable (low Reynolds number) k–ɛ turbulence model. The flow disturbance is captured around the tumour, which influenced the upstream and downstream of the flow. The flow velocity pattern, wall shear stress and probable area of inflammation (hotspot) due to suspended particle deposition are determined, which may assist doctors more effectively in aerosol therapy and prosthetics of human airways illness.


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