Every morning, showerheads spray bacteria all over their unsuspecting owners.
Mycobacterium avium, a bacteria in the same genus as tuberculosis, has been found in showerheads across the nation, according to new research by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"Mycobacterium is a common bacteria in the environment," said Mark Liles, a professor of microbiology.
Fortunately for humans, this bacteria primarily affects birds, said Kirby Farrington, coordinator of the microbiology teaching lab at Auburn University.
L. pneumophila, a germ that causes Legionnaires' disease, was also found in the study, but was incredibly rare.
Mycrobacerium can be found worldwide and in common matter such as soil, water, animals and food.
They enter the human body via breathing or eating and infrequently cause infection.
The bacterium forms a biofilm, a colony of bacteria that adheres together.
Biofilms are common, as they grow in warm, moist climates such as at the bottom of rivers and streams, boat hulls and the interiors of pipes in buildings.
But while it seems Auburn's climate is perfect for a bacterial infestation, there may be no reason to panic.
"Certainly many microorganisms favor warm, humid conditions, though I don't know that we are at any higher risk being in the South," Liles said.
Dr. Shannon Waters of Greater Mobile Urgent Care said there has not been an outbreak related to mycobacterium or any water-based bacteria found in showerheads.
"If you are at high risk of infection due to a pre-existing medical condition such as AIDS or other immune dysfunction, then you are advised to reduce your risk of potential infection," Liles said.
Farrington said an opportunistic pathogen is any microorganism that can cause disease if given the right conditions and chance.
"Keep in mind that every time you breathe, you are inhaling tens of thousands of bacteria," Liles said. "We are literally living within a sea of microorganisms, the vast majority of which are not pathogenic. So an increase in the number of bacteria within a showerhead should not be undue cause for alarm."
Farrington said a subspecies of mycobacterium avium can cause paratuberculosis, also known as Johne's disease, which resembles tuberculosis in the way it affects the human body.
Waters said mycobacterium causes other infections as well, such as "walking pneumonia," a less severe community acquired version of pneumonia.
Mycobacterium avium can be killed by most sanitizers, but some of the physiological characteristics of the bacteria make it resistant to sanitizers to a certain degree.
But once showers are infected, the bacteria can be hard to kill.
"Mycobacterium avium is resistant to most of the antituberculosis drugs, but some of the new macrolide antibiotics for example, azithromycin or clarithromycin have shown antibiotic activity against this bacterium in humans," Liles said.
Liles does not think Auburn students should be concerned with bacteria in their showers.
"As Auburn University students are mostly young and healthy," Liles said. "They are more likely to be at risk from spreading infectious agents to each other."
According to health.com, changing and cleaning the showerhead once a year with an antibiotic solution once a year will prevent bacterial growth.
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