Hidden things lurking in your sink drains can be dangerous and deadly!

The pool and swimming pool drains tend to be unpleasant places, at least from a human perspective.

In fact, one of the reasons we often dislike sinks—along with dirty sponges and other sink utensils—is precisely because they are a great habitat for nasty germs.

In a new study by scientists from the University of Reading and the British Center for Ecology and Hydrology, scientists have taken a deep dive into this enigmatic ecosystem by examining more than 250 “bathroom fungus communities” on campus.

Led by University of Reading bioinformatics scientist Sun Gayon, the research team collected samples from septic tanks and toilets in 20 buildings on the main campus.

The researchers used sterile cotton swabs to collect samples from the drains, recording details of each pool’s characteristics, including its location, purpose, the floor of the bathrooms, and whether the water running down the drain was hot or cold. They extracted DNA from the samples and used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and bioinformatics to help identify microbial organisms in the ponds.

The results showed rotting forests with fungal diversity in runoff.

And it would seem obvious that microbial life could be supported in such humid places. The researchers report that fungal communities are diverse and incredibly similar to each other.

375 genera of mushrooms lived in the ponds. The study showed that mushrooms represent seven different types.

The researchers reported that despite the high biodiversity in each basin, all fungal communities showed remarkably similar taxonomic profiles, meaning that the list and proportion of fungi did not vary greatly from one basin to another, or even from one building to another.

The researchers note that they are not sure the reason for this similarity.

All sinks are primarily used for handwashing and any user can be exposed to germs while using the sinks.

“We spend 90% of our time indoors, which is why we are exposed to fungi in our homes and at work. For most people, this is not a problem, but for people who are immunosuppressed, some types of fungi can cause serious infections,” Guyon says. .

The study shows that runoff can serve as reservoirs for certain fungi and yeasts, which can harbor and spread species that can infect humans.

“It’s not surprising that fungi can be found in such a warm and humid environment,” says Guyon. “But until now, ponds have been overlooked as potential reservoirs for these microorganisms. This could be a really important discovery for those who are trying to help people with weakened immune systems avoid infections. “. from earlier”. Some opportunistic pathogens that can lurk in ponds, such as Fusarium.”

Guyon and colleagues note that sewers and pipes provide a unique habitat for fungi in the built environment due to constant humidity, temporary temperature changes, high pH levels due to detergents, and potential accumulation of organic matter.

The most numerous and widespread genus in the new study, the researchers said, is Exophiala, a “black yeast” that includes both terrestrial and aquatic species.

“Exophiala species can be considered pathogens causing skin and superficial infections,” they wrote. They usually do not pose a high risk, but “fatal systemic infections have been documented.”

The study was published in Environmental DNA.

Source: Science Alert

The post Hidden things lurking in your sink drains can be dangerous and deadly! appeared first on Asume Tech.

from Technology - Asume Tech https://asumetech.com/hidden-things-lurking-in-your-sink-drains-can-be-dangerous-and-deadly/