Bacteria and fungi in flats depending on place of residence and roommates

Microorganisms in house dust depend on the sex of the inhabitants
In a new study, researchers have investigated which bacteria and fungi are found in house dust and on which factors the composition depends. It turned out that the place of residence plays a role and whether one has pets. It is also crucial whether men or women live in the apartment.

With which microorganisms one shares his apartment
It depends mainly on the place of residence and the roommates, with which microorganisms one shares his apartment. The dpa news agency reports on a study that particularly influences the geographical location of which fungal species are found in house dust. Residents and pets, on the other hand, determine which types of bacteria can be found there. The results of the investigation have now been published in the journal "Proceedings B" by the British Royal Society by the team led by Albert Barberán from the University of Colorado at Boulder (USA).

The burden of the apartment with microorganisms depends largely on the place of residence and the roommates. (Image: Syda Productions / fotolia.com)

Influence on our health
Every day, every person comes into contact with thousands of bacterial and fungal species that can affect their health. People with a house dust allergy, for example, respond with symptoms such as colds or swollen, itchy eyes. However, regular and early contact with certain bacteria from house dust in urban children can also prevent later hypersensitivity and allergies. The risk of atopic dermatitis and asthma is also reduced. This is what scientists from the University of Wisconsin came up with in a study last year.

Microbiological conditions in rooms
"We spend most of our lives indoors," write the researchers of the current study. It is therefore necessary to better understand the microbiological conditions in rooms. As part of the "Wild Life of Our Homes" project, dust samples from around 1,200 US households were surveyed, covering a wide range of climatic zones and living conditions. The samples were from doorframe edges inside and outside the apartment, as they are probably the least often cleaned. They were analyzed for microorganisms and compared with geographical factors such as climate or population density. In addition, the scientists tested household conditions such as age and size of the house, number of rooms, presence of a basement, flooring, pets or number, and gender of the residents.

Residents and pets play a role
It was found that the variety of bacteria and fungi in the rooms was 50 percent higher than outside. The fungal communities in houses depended significantly on those who lived outdoors. The study authors concluded that households with similar climatic conditions also had similar fungal communities. For the bacteria, however, there was no direct relationship between outside and inside. Rather, a significant role played by the residents and the fact whether pets were present. For example, dust in dwellings containing dogs and cats also contained bacteria from their saliva and fecal matter. In addition, the gender of humans was a factor. According to the researchers, the researchers found more bacteria in the flats with more women than in those in which more men lived. "If you want to change the fungus species that you are exposed to, you should move (preferably far away)", say the authors. "If you want to change the bacteria in your environment, you just have to change who you live with." (Ad)