Are Microbiomes Contagious? Microbial Minutes
Our social networks help determine which microbes live in and on our bodies. But how important is the social sharing of microbiome members? And what does it mean for human health?
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Can you “catch” someone’s microbiome? Scientists are exploring how microbiome members move between people, with potential implications for health and disease. Key take-aways and resources used in this Microbial Minutes are listed below.
Key Take-Aways
- There are numerous factors that shape the microbiome, including genetics and diet. Social interactions appear to play a role as well.
- Pathogens can spread from person to person and cause disease. How non-pathogens—including those found in people’s microbiomes—spread within social networks is less well understood, though may have important implications for human health.
- Scientists mapped social networks and analyzed the microbiomes of over 1,700 individuals in 18 isolated villages in Honduras, showing that having a relationship tie of any kind was associated with greater sharing of microbial species and strains. Strain sharing extended to second-degree connections (e.g., a friend of a friend).
- While more research is needed, it’s possible people share phenotypes not only because of shared genes or transmitted behaviors, but also because of shared microbes.
Resources
- Barron, M. Fecal Transplants: Past, Present and Future. American Society for Microbiology, Feb. 9, 2024.
- Bhegini, F., et al., Gut microbiome strain-sharing within isolated village social networks. Nature, Nov. 20, 2024.
- Sarkar A., et al., Microbial transmission in the social microbiome and host health and disease. Cell, Jan. 4, 2024.
- Johnson K.V.-A., et al. Sociability in a non-captive macaque population is associated with beneficial gut bacteria. Frontiers in Microbiology, Nov. 10, 2022.
- Van Hul M., and Cani P.D. The gut microbiota in obesity and weight management: microbes as friends or foes? Nature Reviews Endocrinology, Jan. 17, 2023.
- Christakis, N.A., The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network over 32 Years. The New England Journal of Medicine, July 26, 2007.
- Smith N.R., et al. Social influences on obesity: current knowledge, emerging methods, and directions for future research and practice. Current Nutrition Reports, Jan. 20, 2020.
- Ridaura, V.K., et al. Microbiota from Twins Discordant for Obesity Modulate Metabolism in Mice. Science, Sept. 6, 2013.
- Cho S., et al. Increased number of children in households may protect against inflammatory bowel disease. Pediatrics Research, June 14, 2022.
- Sivan A., et al. Commensal Bifidobacterium promotes antitumor immunity and facilitates anit-PD-L1 efficacy. Science, Nov. 5, 2015.
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