Climate change has a huge influence on survival of disease-causing bacteria: IISc researchers

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: “I’ve always wanted to study variables that are socially relevant. WIth my academic prowess, I’ve wanted to help the poor improve their conditions and set a platform for change,” says Abdur Rasheed, PhD scholar from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and lead author for a paper that could set a precedent in India’s approach to public health.

Recently, a study titled “Weatherrelated changes in the dehydration of respiratory droplets on surfaces bolster bacterial endurance,” authored by Rasheed drew the inference that due to bacteria settling on inanimate objects, they may survive for five times longer in humid and cool conditions, in respiratory fluid.

The study also claims that at least 10 per cent of the bacteria, after dehydration, will survive in humid conditions, but in dry conditions, only two per cent survive. These bacteria, according to Rasheed, include Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, which can cause multiple respiratory diseases like pneumonia, Typhoid causing Salmonella Typhi and Staphylococcus Aureus which causes the Staph infection.

“We got the idea after our previous studies which involved suspending bacteria in pure water,” Rasheed stated, recalling his experiences during the pandemic in the campus.

“Earlier, we wanted to check if viruses are influenced by weather conditions, by using replica particles,” he said. However, with bacteria, they were able to infer that climate change has a strong influence on the bacteria’s survival.

“The unpredictability of climate change increases the range of survivability of these bacteria. If the place gets more humid and cool, the bacteria could be much deadlier and live for longer, but if the weather conditions are dry, then the bacteria’s life will be cut-short,” Rasheed explained.

Professor Saptarshi Basu of the Mechanical Engineering Department, IISc praised the collaborative effort by the department of Microbiology and Cell Biology “The team led by Dipshika Chakravorrty focused more on the internal features of the bacteria. We focused more on the transmission and fluid mechanics of bacteria on different substrates under different weather conditions ,” he added.

Basu also pointed out that studies like these provide an idea of susceptibility because of one’s exposure to micro-organisms. “People with low immunity need to be cautious, especially in humid conditions. Our simulation has given concrete evidence of its adaptability, and it is possible that new variants may emerge,” he added.