Research Project Description:

Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in the health and disease of ruminants, in milk production and its quality, and it has been related with greenhouse gasses emissions from dairy farms. On the other hand, studies have shown that air pollution can have disruptive effects on the gut microbiome ultimately leading to dysbiosis with cascading negative consequences on health and the environment. Industrial and other human activities can contribute to the release of persistent chemicals such as heavy metals in the air, and a few reports relate air pollution with heavy metals in cow’s milk. However, knowledge on the effects of air pollution on gut and milk microbiome of cattle, and air pollution related public health risks via contaminated milk consumption is greatly lacking.

AIRCOMM is the first pilot study in Cyprus that will use a multidisciplinary One Health approach to characterize cattle microbiome and cow’s milk quality, and to investigate their relationship of air pollution.  We will utilize the availability of cow’s fecal and milk samples collected from 18 dairy farms across Cyprus in collaboration with the Cyprus Government’s Department of Veterinary Service to characterize the microbiome composition and diversity, and heavy metal concentrations will be measured in cow’s milk samples from four farms. Subsequently, we will assess whether dairy farms located in poor air quality areas (e.g., proximity to industrial facilities) or under poor air conditions (e.g., dust storms) are at higher risks of cattle dysbiosis and of contamination of cow’s milk by heavy metals. The findings of this pilot study will support the design and formulation of a more comprehensive investigation for assessing these associations at the national and/or international level, and will pave the way for One Health research focusing on improving animal welfare as well as safeguarding environmental and public health.

Principal Investigator(s) and Coordinating Institution(s): 

  • Dr Despo Ierodiakonou (Principal Investigator), University of Nicosia Medical School, Cyprus
  • Dr Daphne Mavrides (Co-Principal Investigator), University of Nicosia School of Veterinary Medicine, Cyprus

 Researchers at University of Nicosia Medical School:

  • Dr Souzana Achilleos

**Other Researcher(s) Participating in the Project:

  • Dr Eleni Gentekaki | University of Nicosia School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Dr Constantinos Hadjistassiou | University of Nicosia School of Health and Life Sciences
  • Dr Anastasios D. Tsaousis | University of Kent

 Other Participating Institution(s):

  • University of Kent

Research Project Acronym: AIRCOMM

Funding Institution: University of Nicosia Medical School

Funding Programme: 2023 Call of the University of Nicosia Medical School Research Seed Fund

Research Project Status: Ongoing

Start and End Dates: 01 February 2024 – 31 July 2026