Abstract

Modernisation of our households created novel opportunities for microbial growth and thus changed the array of microorganisms we come in contact with. While many studies have investigated microorganisms in the air and dust, tap water, another major input of microbial propagules, has received far less attention. The quality of drinking water in developed world is strictly regulated to prevent immediate danger to human health. However, fungi, algae, protists and bacteria of less immediate concern are usually not screened for. These organisms can thus use water as a vector of transmission into the households, especially if they are resistant to various water treatment procedures. Good tolerance of unfavourable abiotic conditions is also important for survival once microbes enter the household. Limitation of water availability, high or low temperatures, application of antimicrobial chemicals and other measures are taken to prevent indoor microbial overgrowth. These conditions, together with a large number of novel chemicals in our homes, shape the diversity and abundance of indoor microbiota through constant selection of the most resilient species, resulting in a substantial overlap in diversity of indoor and natural extreme environments. At least in fungi, extremotolerance has been linked to human pathogenicity, explaining why many species found in novel indoor habitats (such as dishwasher) are notable opportunistic pathogens. As a result, microorganisms that often enter our households with water and are then enriched in novel indoor habitats might have a hitherto underestimated impact on the well-being of the increasingly indoor-bound human population.

Key points

• Domestic environment harbours a large diversity of microorganisms.

• Microbiota of water-related indoor habitats mainly originates from tap water.

• Bathrooms, kitchens and household appliances select for polyextremotolerant species.

• Many household-related microorganisms are human opportunistic pathogens.

中文翻译：

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微生物在与水相关的室内生物群落中生长。

摘要

我们家庭的现代化为微生物的生长创造了新的机会，从而改变了我们接触到的微生物种类。虽然许多研究都调查了空气和灰尘中的微生物，但作为微生物繁殖体的另一种主要输入来源的自来水却受到的关注要少得多。发达国家的饮用水质量受到严格监管，以防止对人类健康造成直接威胁。然而，不太直接关注的真菌、藻类、原生生物和细菌通常不会被筛查。因此，这些生物体可以利用水作为传播到家庭的媒介，特别是如果它们对各种水处理程序具有抵抗力的话。一旦微生物进入家庭，对不利非生物条件的良好耐受性对于生存也很重要。采取限制用水、高温或低温、使用抗菌化学品和其他措施来防止室内微生物过度生长。这些条件，加上我们家中大量的新型化学物质，通过不断选择最具弹性的物种，塑造了室内微生物群的多样性和丰富度，导致室内和自然极端环境的多样性大幅重叠。至少在真菌中，极端耐受性与人类致病性有关，这解释了为什么在新的室内栖息地（例如洗碗机）中发现的许多物种是值得注意的机会病原体。因此，经常通过水进入我们的家庭，然后在新的室内栖息地中富集的微生物可能会对越来越多地呆在室内的人群的福祉产生迄今为止被低估的影响。

关键点

• 家庭环境蕴藏着多种多样的微生物。

• 与水有关的室内栖息地的微生物群主要来源于自来水。

• 浴室、厨房和家用电器选择多极耐受物种。

• 许多与家庭相关的微生物是人类机会性病原体。