House dust microbiome differentiation and phage-mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Abstract Background House dust serves as a reservoir of a diverse array of microbial life and anthropogenic chemicals, both of which can potentially influence the health of occupants, particularly those who spend significant amounts of time at home. However, the effects of anthropogenic chemicals on...
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Microbiome |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-025-02081-2 |
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| author | Shicong Du Huiju Lin Qiong Luo Chung Ling Man Sze Han Lai Kin Fai Ho Kenneth M. Y. Leung Patrick K. H. Lee |
| author_facet | Shicong Du Huiju Lin Qiong Luo Chung Ling Man Sze Han Lai Kin Fai Ho Kenneth M. Y. Leung Patrick K. H. Lee |
| author_sort | Shicong Du |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background House dust serves as a reservoir of a diverse array of microbial life and anthropogenic chemicals, both of which can potentially influence the health of occupants, particularly those who spend significant amounts of time at home. However, the effects of anthropogenic chemicals on dust microbiomes remain poorly understood. This study investigated the presence of anthropogenic chemicals in the dust of homes occupied by elderly occupants and explored those chemicals’ relationships with dust microbiomes. Results We detected 69 out of 76 analyzed anthropogenic chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals, non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals, and antibiotics, in at least one house dust sample from 32 residential homes, with concentrations ranging from 2720 to 89,300 ng/g. Some of these detected compounds were pharmaceuticals regularly consumed by the occupants. The dust microbiomes were associated with varying levels of anthropogenic chemicals, forming two distinct clusters, each with unique diversity, taxonomy, metabolic functions, and resistome profiles. Higher concentrations and a greater variety of these chemicals were associated with an increased co-occurrence of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes, as well as an enhanced potential for their transfer through mobile genetic elements. Under these conditions, phages, especially phage-plasmids, facilitated the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and virulence among bacterial populations. Conclusions The findings indicate that everyday anthropogenic chemicals are important factors associated with the microbes in indoor environments. This underscores the importance of improving household chemical stewardship to reduce the health risks associated with exposure to these chemicals and their effects on indoor microbiomes. Video Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5ece678a76ab489980dabb4428b70bc0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2049-2618 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microbiome |
| spelling | doaj-art-5ece678a76ab489980dabb4428b70bc02025-08-20T02:11:42ZengBMCMicrobiome2049-26182025-04-0113112110.1186/s40168-025-02081-2House dust microbiome differentiation and phage-mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticalsShicong Du0Huiju Lin1Qiong Luo2Chung Ling Man3Sze Han Lai4Kin Fai Ho5Kenneth M. Y. Leung6Patrick K. H. Lee7School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong KongSchool of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong KongSchool of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong KongThe Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong KongSchool of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong KongThe Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong KongSchool of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong KongSchool of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong KongAbstract Background House dust serves as a reservoir of a diverse array of microbial life and anthropogenic chemicals, both of which can potentially influence the health of occupants, particularly those who spend significant amounts of time at home. However, the effects of anthropogenic chemicals on dust microbiomes remain poorly understood. This study investigated the presence of anthropogenic chemicals in the dust of homes occupied by elderly occupants and explored those chemicals’ relationships with dust microbiomes. Results We detected 69 out of 76 analyzed anthropogenic chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals, non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals, and antibiotics, in at least one house dust sample from 32 residential homes, with concentrations ranging from 2720 to 89,300 ng/g. Some of these detected compounds were pharmaceuticals regularly consumed by the occupants. The dust microbiomes were associated with varying levels of anthropogenic chemicals, forming two distinct clusters, each with unique diversity, taxonomy, metabolic functions, and resistome profiles. Higher concentrations and a greater variety of these chemicals were associated with an increased co-occurrence of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes, as well as an enhanced potential for their transfer through mobile genetic elements. Under these conditions, phages, especially phage-plasmids, facilitated the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and virulence among bacterial populations. Conclusions The findings indicate that everyday anthropogenic chemicals are important factors associated with the microbes in indoor environments. This underscores the importance of improving household chemical stewardship to reduce the health risks associated with exposure to these chemicals and their effects on indoor microbiomes. Video Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-025-02081-2House dustEndocrine-disrupting chemicalsNon-antibiotic pharmaceuticalsAntibioticsMicrobiomesPhage-plasmids |
| spellingShingle | Shicong Du Huiju Lin Qiong Luo Chung Ling Man Sze Han Lai Kin Fai Ho Kenneth M. Y. Leung Patrick K. H. Lee House dust microbiome differentiation and phage-mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals Microbiome House dust Endocrine-disrupting chemicals Non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals Antibiotics Microbiomes Phage-plasmids |
| title | House dust microbiome differentiation and phage-mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals |
| title_full | House dust microbiome differentiation and phage-mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals |
| title_fullStr | House dust microbiome differentiation and phage-mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals |
| title_full_unstemmed | House dust microbiome differentiation and phage-mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals |
| title_short | House dust microbiome differentiation and phage-mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals |
| title_sort | house dust microbiome differentiation and phage mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals |
| topic | House dust Endocrine-disrupting chemicals Non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals Antibiotics Microbiomes Phage-plasmids |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-025-02081-2 |
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