The Human Microbiome Project has shown that the microbiome plays a crucial role in human health, and a new study has found that our efforts to create sterile urban environments may be backfiring. Researchers from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in China collected 738 samples from various built environments in Hong Kong and found 363 novel microbial strains that have adapted to the challenging urban conditions. These microbes have evolved to metabolize manufactured products found in cities, including cleaning products and disinfectants. This adaptation poses health risks, as some of these microbes can cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. The study also found that some microbes have developed a mutualistic relationship with humans, providing us with essential nutrients. The team emphasizes the need to develop strategies to create a healthy indoor ecosystem, including infection control practices and the use of appropriate disinfectants. The study’s findings have important implications for urban planning, healthcare, and public health policy.
Microorganisms thriving in the face of disinfectant-resistant environments Let me know if you’d like me to make any further changes!
