Microbiologists in a study led by Northwestern University have found that shower heads and toothbrushes in bathrooms can harbor a variety of viruses, many of which have never been seen before. Not seen.
Although the research findings seem alarming, the good news is that the target of these viruses is not humans, but bacteria.
For the research, published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiome, the scientists collected micro-organisms called bacteriophage, or phages. It is a type of virus that infects bacteria and replicates inside them.
Scientists knew very little about them, but recently phage have attracted the attention of experts for their ability to treat antibiotic-resistant infections.
Erica M. Hartman, head of research at the university, said the number of viruses that scientists have found is extraordinary. Scientists have discovered many viruses about which little is known and many that have never been seen before.
He said that it is amazing that the unexplored biodiversity is all around us and we don’t have to go far for it, it is right under our nose.
