Systematic review of Pulmonary Manifestations by Thermophilic Actinomycetes: A Biological, Clinical and Pathological Analysis

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.