Bacteria existing in the human intestinal lining, this strain has developed antibiotic resistance. ... As well as drug-resistant bacteria, human faeces can be seen spread against hand rails and across seats. 

Othergerms are shown in a cacophany of colour, spread out like spray-paint across London public transport systems.Jun 23, 2016

AlexRaths / iStock
Anyone who has ever commuted knows that public transport is far from hygienic.

This has now been thrown into stark relief after swabs were taken from across the London Underground, bus network and taxis.

Interactive data compiled by Staveley Head and collected by microbiologists at London Metropolitan University brings this invisible bacteria into startling clarity.

Using UV lighting, the London Under the Microscope project highlights 121 different bacteria and mould strains on public transport – including nine bacteria species associated with antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Out of the twelve superbug families identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO), London is home to some of the most dangerous.

Microbiologist Paul Matewele took 80 swabs across the capital to test for bacteria. He tested hand rails, seats, doors and the walls of public transport services and studied these findings to discover levels of antibiotic resistance.

What he found was an unprecedented layer of dangerous bacteria, including traces of superbugs that "antibiotics cannot fight and can be extremely harmful.”

An estimated 2.29 billion people use London buses every year, with 1.34 billion using the underground. 

With so many people from across the world, the germ traces are rich with disgusting variety.

Through the interactive data, the London Underground is shown as the dirtiest form of transport.

When exploring different tube lines in such grim detail, it's clear the Victoria line ranks as the most unhygienic – a haven of 22 different types of living bacteria, including four of the world's most threatening.

"Out of the twelve superbug families identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO), London is home to some of the most dangerous"
Staphylococcus Aureus (the bacteria responsible for toxic shock syndrome), E.coli, Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Serratia were found. The latter two strains are resistant to antibiotics and known to cause serious blood, chest and urine infections.