title: The ecology of microscopic life in  household dust.
abstract: We spend the majority of our lives indoors; yet, we currently lack a comprehensive understanding of how the microbial communities found in homes vary across broad geographical regions and what factors are most important in shaping the types of microorganisms found inside homes. Here, we investigated the fungal and bacterial communities found in settled dust collected from inside and outside approximately 1200 homes located across the continental US, homes that represent a broad range of home designs and span many climatic zones. Indoor and outdoor dust samples harboured distinct microbial communities, but these differences were larger for bacteria than for fungi with most indoor fungi originating outside the home. Indoor fungal communities and the distribution of potential allergens varied predictably across climate and geographical regions; where you live determines what fungi live with you inside your home. By contrast, bacterial communities in indoor dust were more strongly influenced by the number and types of occupants living in the homes. In particular, the female : male ratio and whether a house had pets had a significant influence on the types of bacteria found inside our homes highlighting that who you live with determines what bacteria are found inside your home.
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Barberán
authors: Robert R
authors: RR
authors: Dunn
authors: Brian J
authors: BJ
authors: Reich
authors: Krishna
authors: K
authors: Pacifici
authors: Eric B
authors: EB
authors: Laber
authors: Holly L
authors: HL
authors: Menninger
authors: James M
authors: JM
authors: Morton
authors: Jessica B
authors: JB
authors: Henley
authors: Jonathan W
authors: JW
authors: Leff
authors: Shelly L
authors: SL
authors: Miller
authors: Noah
authors: N
authors: Fierer
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004391:Dust; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005843:Geography; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057805:Pets; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust