Cohabiting family members share microbiota with one another and with their dogs

Abstract

Human-associated microbial communities vary across individuals: possible contributing factors include (genetic) relatedness, diet, and age. However, our surroundings, including individuals with whom we interact, also likely shape our microbial communities. To quantify this microbial exchange, we surveyed fecal, oral, and skin microbiota from 60 families (spousal units with children, dogs, both, or neither). Household members, particularly couples, shared more of their microbiota than individuals from different households, with stronger effects of co-habitation on skin than oral or fecal microbiota. Dog ownership significantly increased the shared skin microbiota in cohabiting adults, and dog-owning adults shared more ‘skin’ microbiota with their own dogs than with other dogs. Although the degree to which these shared microbes have a true niche on the human body, vs transient detection after direct contact, is unknown, these results suggest that direct and frequent contact with our cohabitants may significantly shape the composition of our microbial communities.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00458.001

Integrated multi-omics of the human gut microbiome in a case study of familial type 1 diabetes

“…More specifically, greater similarities have been observed between the microbiota of family members and cohabiting partners than between unrelated individuals 23 .…”

Prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in family units living in the United States

“…Secondly, environmental sources such as drinking water may also be a potential source of Blastocystis (Leelayoova et al, 2008;Taamasri et al, 2000). Poor sanitation and unsuitable water treatment resulting in the consumption of contaminated water are likely to be contributory in this regard (Taamasri et al, 2000;Tan et al, 2010). Finally, direct human-to-human transmission through contact with infected individuals (directly or indirectly via contaminated food and water) has also been postulated (Anuar et al, 2013;Yoshikawa et al, 2000).…”

“…children/adolescents, N = 38; mean age, 4.1 years) (Song et al, 2013), see Table 1. This dataset also included dogs, which we investigated as a possible source of zoonosis (N = 36).…”

“…close contact with animals that are host to subtypes that can also colonise humans (Alfellani et al, 2013a;Parkar et al, 2010;Wang et al, 2014). Secondly, environmental sources such as drinking water may also be a potential source of Blastocystis (Leelayoova et al, 2008;Taamasri et al, 2000). Poor sanitation and unsuitable water treatment resulting in the consumption of contaminated water are likely to be contributory in this regard (Taamasri et al, 2000;Tan et al, 2010).…”

The human microbiome, from Achilles armour to Nessus’ shirt

“…Similarly, the printout of this article, your computer, your home and the people you share it with are subject to microbial crosscolonisation (Fierer et al 2010;Song et al 2013). While for decades we could rest assured that the only microbially colonised niches seemed to be our digestive system and the skin, there is now hardly any part of our bodies indeed not inhabited by microbes.…”