The household microbiome is the community of microorganisms that live on surfaces and in the environment within your home. According to a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology,1 Certain surfaces and environments in your home harbor different communities of bacteriophages.
Shower heads and toothbrushes are especially important because they serve as persistent habitats for these microorganisms and create glue-like communities called “biofilms” in which these tiny organisms thrive.2 The microorganisms found on these surfaces play an important role in creating the balance between good and harmful bacteria in your home and can have a direct impact on your health and well-being.
The interaction between bacteriophages and bacteria in household products can suppress pathogenic bacteria and create a healthier living environment. Moreover, these findings challenge the existing perception that microbes are solely harmful invaders, highlighting their life-saving benefits.
How our indoor microbiome shapes our health
Indoor environments play an important role in influencing human health through their complex microbial communities. Studies consistently show that our homes, workplaces, and public spaces are full of bacteria and viruses that affect our well-being.3 However, most studies have primarily focused on bacterial populations and often overlooked the viral entities that coexist with bacteria.
Bacteriophages, or phages, are natural enemies of bacteria. They are small, tripod-shaped viruses that specifically infect bacteria. These phages are essential in controlling pathogenic bacterial populations as they act by hunting, attacking, and consuming bacterial species.4
Phages contribute to microbial diversity by controlling which bacteria thrive and which die.5 The dynamics between phages and their bacterial hosts reveal how microbial communities maintain balance and resist overgrowth of harmful bacteria, and advancing our knowledge of phage interactions within household biofilms could lead to new, innovative approaches to health and hygiene. there is.
By exploring these viral communities, scientists aim to find new ways to promote beneficial microbes and suppress pathogens, ultimately improving the cleanliness and safety of our everyday environments.6 This research fills an important gap, providing insights that could transform how we manage indoor microbial ecosystems for better health outcomes.
Find the guardian hidden in the bathroom
To explore the hypothesis, the researchers used metagenomic sequencing, a powerful technology for deciphering genetic material from environmental samples. By analyzing 34 toothbrush and 92 showerhead samples, we aimed to identify and characterize the viral populations present.
The results were amazing. A wide variety of new phages have emerged, many of which have never been previously documented. The researchers identified a total of 616 high-quality viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) within biofilms from showerhead and toothbrush samples. Each of these vOTUs represents a distinct group of bacteriophages that interact with a specific bacterial host.
The number of unique viral sequences highlights the complexity and richness of viral communities present in everyday household items. Erica M. Hartmann, indoor microbiologist and lead author of the study, said:7
“The number of viruses we have discovered is truly staggering. We have discovered many viruses that we know little about and many that we have never seen before. It’s amazing how much untapped biodiversity exists around us. And you don’t have to go far to find it. “It’s right under our noses.”
These initial findings not only highlighted the complexity of indoor microbiome, but also set the stage for deeper investigation into how these phages affect bacterial populations.
Shower heads and toothbrushes have different types of phages.
The main study originates from previous research.8 It was also led by Hartmann with colleagues at the University of Colorado and published in the journal Microbiome in 2021. Dubbed “Operation Pottymouth,” researchers determined how flushing a toilet spreads bacteria onto toothbrushes and showerheads.
“This project started out of curiosity. I wanted to know what kind of microorganisms live in our homes. If you think about the indoor environment, surfaces such as tables and walls are very difficult for microorganisms to live on. Microorganisms prefer a watery environment. And where is the water? “Inside the shower and on the toothbrush.”9
In a recent study, Hartmann and her team found that showerheads and toothbrushes had different viral communities. No single vOTU was found in any sample and the most abundant phages differed between the two household items.10 These distinctions reflect the special circumstances each provides.
Showerheads, which rarely come into direct contact with humans, harbor phages linked to environmental bacteria, such as those in water sources.11 In contrast, toothbrushes, which are constantly exposed to the human oral microbiome, contain phages associated with oral bacteria such as Streptococcus and Veillonella.12 These phages are likely involved in maintaining a balanced microbial community that prevents overgrowth of pathogenic species.
This means that even within the same household, different items create unique viral ecosystems. The lack of shared vOTUs between showerheads and toothbrushes highlights the role of specific environmental conditions and microbial sources in shaping viral communities.
Another important finding of this study is the positive correlation between viral abundance and bacterial abundance in household biofilms. This means that areas with higher bacterial species diversity tend to have greater bacteriophage diversity.13
Interestingly, although viral abundance matches bacterial abundance, the distribution of phage abundance across these species does not follow the same pattern. Basically, having more types of bacteria creates more types of phages, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the phages will spread evenly across all bacterial hosts.
These findings highlight the uniqueness of each microbial habitat within a home, which is determined by factors such as how it is used and exposed to different bacterial sources.
“There is an incredible amount of microbial diversity. And for every bacterium, there are potentially dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of viruses that infect it.” Hartman said.14
New phages discovered in household microbiomes
Another notable finding of this study is the identification of numerous new phages that may have unique functions and interactions that are not yet understood. The presence of these new phages suggests that household microbiomes are more complex and diverse than previously thought.
The third interesting finding was the presence of mycobacteriophages in the showerhead samples.15 These viruses specifically target Mycobacterium species, some of which are pathogenic to humans, representing a natural mechanism to control harmful bacteria in these environments.
This could mean that phages could act as biological agents to manage and reduce the presence of pathogenic bacteria, enhancing household hygiene and reducing the risk of infection.
The researchers also found no evidence of harmful antibiotic resistance or virulence genes within the identified phages.16 This finding is reassuring because it means that household phages do not transmit harmful properties to bacteria. They do not pose any additional threat and merely control bacterial populations.
These phages could also be used in future biotechnology applications, such as phage therapy, to help target and eliminate specific harmful bacteria without the risk of worsening antibiotic resistance.
“We are interested in designing more sophisticated drugs so that instead of taking broad-spectrum antibiotics and eliminating the entire microbiome, we can use these drugs that only affect pathogens and leave the rest of the microbiome intact.” Hartman said.17
What impact do these discoveries have on today’s society?
The presence of life-saving bacteriophages in everyday household items such as showerheads and toothbrushes has important public health implications. By naturally regulating bacterial populations, these phages help reduce the spread of harmful bacteria and lower the risk of infection and illness in the home.
Another advantage is the development of new sanitation strategies that maximize phage removal. For example, it could help identify ways to eliminate the need for chemical disinfectants that destroy beneficial microorganisms.18
Understanding the complex relationships between phages and bacteria can also help us create environments that support beneficial microbial communities. For example, materials and surfaces that encourage the growth of health-promoting phages could be incorporated into housing designs to provide a natural defense mechanism against harmful pathogens without the need for chemical solutions.19
The biotech sector has also leveraged these discoveries, paving the way for phage-based therapeutics and products such as targeted cleaners and sanitizers, as well as medical treatments.20,21 Importantly, phage-based solutions can be implemented in healthcare facilities to minimize the risk of nosocomial infections and reduce antibiotic use.22,23
How to Harness Your Life-Saving Microbiome at Home
The discovery of life-saving microorganisms in everyday household items such as showerheads and toothbrushes has dramatically changed our understanding of the indoor environment. This study demonstrates the complex and important role bacteriophages play in maintaining a healthy microbial ecosystem in our homes.
By incorporating microbiome-friendly practices into your daily cleaning routine, you can help beneficial microbes thrive. Simple changes like using natural, non-toxic cleaning products and drying your showerhead and toothbrush thoroughly can help maintain a healthy balance of phages and bacteria.24
The use of household air and water filters has a significant impact on indoor microbiome. Installing a high-quality water filter will limit environmental bacteria in your showerhead, allowing beneficial phages to effectively manage the bacterial population.25 Likewise, air purifiers equipped with microbial filters reduce airborne bacteria and promote a stable indoor microbial community.26
“Microorganisms are everywhere, all the time. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to digest our food or prevent infections.” Hartman said.
“I think it’s really important to approach it with a sense of wonder and curiosity that while we may initially react as a bit of a do-gooder, the microbial world actually does a tremendous amount of good and potentially holds enormous potential. “Biotechnology.”27
