Integrating 16S and 18S sequencing reveals coupled prokaryotic and eukaryotic relationships in drinking water biofilms

Legionellaceae bacteria were detected in 82% of 128 non-disinfected drinking water shower hose biofilms across Switzerland, with diversity extending known reference species and no clear dominant taxa.

• Why it matters: Most drinking-water biofilm studies emphasize prokaryotes, leaving unclear how microbial eukaryotes shape biofilm communities and how this relates to persistence of opportunistic pathogens like Legionella.
• What they did: The study integrated 16S and 18S sequencing on 128 biofilms from Switzerland, comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic richness/composition and testing links between Legionellaceae and amoebal taxa.
• The result: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities showed similar richness and composition patterns and influenced each other more than abiotic building-level factors; Legionellaceae richness was not correlated with known amoebal host richness but with other amoebae.

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