A “wild” number of viruses live in the bristles of our toothbrush. This is good news
The bathroom is a breeding ground for microorganisms, but not all of them are harmful. Not at all. Some of them, such as the bacteria that live in places like your toothbrush, are simply a reflection of the bacteria that live in your body. But now a detailed analysis of the viruses that coexist with us can help us fight those bacteria that really pose a threat.
“Wild” number of viruses. A new study of microbial life has discovered a huge number of germs on two everyday items in our bathroom: a toothbrush and a shower head. Some of the viruses found in these places were even unknown to science.
This discovery is not alarming news; it could have positive consequences. The reason is that some of the viruses discovered are classified as bacteriophages (or phages), viruses that infect and destroy bacteria, making them potential therapeutic allies.
“The amount of virus we discovered is simply wild,” Erica Hartmann, who led the team responsible for the work, explained in a press release. “We found a lot of viruses that we know very little about, and a lot of oysters that we’ve never seen before. “It’s impressive how much hidden biodiversity exists around us (…), right under our noses.”
Our homes, our microbiome. Our bodies are home to billions of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that make up our special microbiota. Part of this microbiome spreads around us.
It’s no surprise that bacteria that live in our mouths can be found on our toothbrushes. However, the latest analysis of tiny life in our immediate environment has surprised those responsible for the size and diversity of microorganisms.
Phages. Many of the viruses discovered were phages. Bathrooms are places where bacteria can grow, so they can also be an ideal hunting ground for viruses that infect them and use them to reproduce.
It is in phages that we find the good news of research. These viruses are an important part of the future fight against bacterial infections. In an era where superbugs (which are increasingly resistant to antibiotics), new ways to fight infections are needed.
Perhaps one of the newly discovered viruses can give us some clues about how to combat the spread of these superbugs.
Mircobiome in our bathrooms. The team studied 96 shower heads and 34 toothbrushes. Analysis of the viruses found showed that, as would be expected, the viromes (the combination of different types of viruses) differed in both places. They also observed that the viromes of the hands were more diverse than those of the heads.
This is due to the different types of bacteria that inhabit each environment. Your toothbrush is most likely to contain the same bacteria that is found in your mouth, and your shower head is more likely to contain the same bacteria that live in water systems.
Details of the work were published in a journal article. Microbiome boundaries.
Related projects. The study grew out of a previous project that was designed to address the question: What type of bacteria grows on our toothbrushes? The answer to this question also came with some good news: our toothbrush contains bacteria that we normally find in our mouths, as opposed to other, more dangerous bacteria, such as those found in toilets.
In any case, for microorganisms in the bathroom, quantity matters. That’s why maintaining good hygiene is key to preventing those harmless colonies of bacteria from turning against us. This is why it is advisable to change your toothbrush regularly.
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