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Microplastics as Vectors for Viral Transmission: Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Ecological-Health Risks
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Tiny plastic particles floating in the environment can stick to viruses and help them survive longer and spread more easily, which could increase the risk of getting sick. This review article summarizes what scientists have learned about how plastics and viruses interact, and why it matters, because many of us are now exposed to both microplastics and viruses at the same time, which could be worse for our immune systems than facing either threat alone. Understanding this problem better will help researchers figure out how to protect public health as plastic pollution continues to grow worldwide.
Microplastics (MPs) possess unique surface properties that enable them to serve as vectors for viral transport in the environment. Such interactions can modulate viral activity, thereby posing substantial risks to both ecosystems and human health. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances regarding the adsorption mechanisms between MPs and viruses, key influencing factors, and the associated ecological and health risks. Using bibliometric analysis, we first identify current research hotspots and emerging trends. Available evidence indicates that electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic effects constitute the primary driving forces governing viral adsorption onto MPs. We then systematically summarize the critical environmental and physicochemical parameters that modulate this process. Particular attention is paid to the formation of MP—virus complexes and the mechanisms by which MPs enhance viral survival and infectivity. We also consolidate current understanding of the synergistic effects triggered by co-exposure to MPs and viruses in disrupting host immune responses. Finally, we outline priority research directions, emphasizing the need to quantify adsorption kinetics in complex environmental matrices and elucidate the molecular basis of their joint toxicity. These advances are essential for accurate risk assessment and the development of effective strategies to mitigate MP-mediated viral transmission.
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