#Microbiotiful - Teddy

Molds such as Alternaria thrive in warm, moist environments—the type of conditions that prevail in the belly button, with its skin folds and accumulated lint and dirt. What’s more, the dead skin cells and oily sebum trapped inside ensure there is plenty of organic material to feed on. Although Alternaria is primarily at home in natural environments in the open, where they can cause damage to crops and plants, they also infect humans with a weakened immune system and are common allergens.

Species of the mold Cladosporium grow best where it is damp, dark, and warm, like in the human intestine. They are abundant throughout nature (except in the polar regions). At least some level of Cladosporium is encountered in just about every household, as whenever you open the window, the spores get blown in. Not that this is necessarily a problem—Cladosporium is rarely pathogenic to humans. They are, however, significant allergens, and can affect people who suffer from asthma or respiratory diseases where they occur in great numbers.

Corynebacterium is a very irregularly shaped bacteria. Some look like the letter V under the microscope, others like a club (hence the name, coryneform means "club-shaped"). The species C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans can cause diphtheria, a potentially deadly disease, if the bacterial cells are themselves infected by a specific virus that prompts them to produce a toxin. Pet dogs can carry corynebacteria into the house, so it’s a good idea to wash your hands after contact—as is, of course, to regularly get your booster injections that should keep you immune.

This species of spherical bacteria also live on the skin (as its name suggests) and mucous membranes of humans but usually doesn’t cause problems. Its close relative, Staphylococcus aureus, however, is different. It is a major cause of dangerous infections worldwide, particularly among people with a weak immune system, but much rarer in the navel than S. epidermidis. 

Micrococcus is basically on all our household objects, from furniture to light switches to the cutlery waiting to go into the dishwasher. No prizes for guessing how they get there—we spread them ourselves. Micrococci form a major part of our skin’s natural microflora. Luckily they rarely cause us problems, with the possible exception of converting components of the sweat on our bodies and in our clothes into something awfully smelly.  

Aspergillus brasiliensis is a fungus and is one of the most common species of the genus Aspergillus. It is ubiquitous in soil, a common food contaminant, and is also regularly reported from indoor environments such as industrial plants.