Opportunistic pathogens enriched in showerhead biofilms

The environments that humans encounter daily are sources of exposure to diverse microbial communities, some of potential concern to human health. In this study, the researchers used culture-independent technology to investigate the microbial composition of biofilms inside showerheads as ecological assemblages in the human indoor environment. Showers are an important interface for human interaction with microbes through inhalation of aerosols, and showerhead waters have been implicated in disease. Although opportunistic pathogens commonly are cultured from shower facilities, there is little knowledge of either their prevalence or the nature of other microorganisms that may be delivered during shower usage. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009;106(38):16393-9. Epub 2009 Sep 14.