Human health and well-being are intimately connected to the quality of our personal environments and the microorganisms that inhabit them. Remarkably, the microbiome of our surroundings is influenced and continually reshaped by our actions, cleaning habits, personal hygiene, and even our dietary preferences. This symbiotic relationship between us and our built environment underscores the critical importance of creating and maintaining healthy living spaces.
A recent study led by microbiologists at Northwestern University revealed a startling discovery: showerheads and toothbrushes harbor an incredibly diverse array of viruses, many of which are entirely new to science.
While this might sound alarming, the good news is that these viruses don’t pose a threat to humans. Instead, they target bacteria.
The microorganisms identified in the study are bacteriophages, or “phages,” a type of virus that infects and reproduces within bacteria. Despite being largely unexplored, phages have attracted attention for their potential in combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. The previously unknown viruses lurking in our bathrooms could hold the key to unlocking new treatments and therapies.
“The number of viruses that we found is absolutely wild,” said Northwestern’s Erica M. Hartmann, who led the study. “We found many viruses that we know very little about and many others that we have never seen before. It’s amazing how much-untapped biodiversity is all around us. And you don’t even have to go far to find it; it’s right under our noses.”
In a fascinating new study, researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder have taken their previous work on bacteria living on toothbrushes and showerheads to the next level. The team, led by Hartmann, has delved into the potential aerosol particle cloud generated by flushing toilets. Affectionately dubbed “Operation Pottymouth,” this study promises to shed light on an intriguing and potentially concerning aspect of our everyday lives.
“This project started as a curiosity,” Hartmann said. “We wanted to know what microbes are living in our homes. If you think about indoor environments, surfaces like tables and walls are really difficult for microbes to live on. Microbes prefer environments with water. And where is there water? Inside our showerheads and on our toothbrushes.”
After meticulously analyzing bacteria, Hartmann proceeded to explore the viruses present in the same samples using DNA sequencing. What she discovered left her astounded. The samples contained over 600 different viruses, each sample boasting its own unique array of viruses.
“We saw basically no overlap in virus types between showerheads and toothbrushes,” Hartmann said. “We also saw very little overlap between any two samples at all. Each showerhead and each toothbrush is like its own little island. It just underscores the incredible diversity of viruses out there.”
Although the team found few consistent patterns among all the samples, they did observe a higher prevalence of mycobacteriophage compared to other types of phage. Mycobacteriophage infects mycobacteria, a pathogenic species responsible for diseases such as leprosy, tuberculosis, and chronic lung infections. Hartmann envisions a future where researchers could leverage mycobacteriophage to effectively treat these infections and more.
“We could envision taking these mycobacteriophage and using them as a way to clean pathogens out of your plumbing system,” she said. “We want to look at all the functions these viruses might have and figure out how we can use them.”
In the meantime, Hartmann urges people not to worry about the unseen inhabitants of our bathrooms. Instead of reaching for harsh chemicals, a simple soak in vinegar can rid showerheads of calcium buildup, while regular replacement of toothbrush heads is recommended. Hartmann also advises against using antimicrobial toothbrushes, as they may contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
“Microbes are everywhere, and the vast majority of them will not make us sick,” she said. “The more you attack them with disinfectants, the more they are likely to develop resistance or become more difficult to treat. We should all just embrace them.”
Journal reference:
- Stefanie Huttelmaier, Weitao Shuai, Jack T. Sumner, Erica M. Hartmann. Phage communities in household-related biofilms correlate with bacterial hosts. Frontiers in Microbiomes, 2024; DOI: 10.3389/frmbi.2024.1396560