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Polystyrene nanoparticles and phosphorus sources jointly modulate antibiotic resistance gene enrichment in microalgae-bacteria systems
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) combined with certain phosphorus nutrients in water can help bacteria become more resistant to antibiotics, especially at low plastic concentrations that let algae and bacteria communities keep growing while swapping resistance genes. This matters because antibiotic-resistant bacteria are already a growing public health threat, and this research shows that plastic pollution in lakes and rivers—not just antibiotic overuse—could be quietly fueling the problem in ways we didn't fully understand before.
The regulatory mechanisms of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in freshwater microalgae-bacteria systems under combined nutrient-nanoplastic stress remain poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the combined effects of phosphorus (P) sources (inorganic phosphate (IP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and phytic acid (PA)) and polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs; 10 and 100 mg/L) on the Chlorella pyrenoidosa‑bacteria system. Results showed that P utilization efficiency followed the order IP > AMP > PA. PS-NPs exerted concentration-dependent effects: low concentrations activated adaptive pathways (including glutathione metabolism) to maintain homeostasis, whereas high concentrations disrupted photosynthesis and membrane integrity, reducing chlorophyll a levels by 20.84%-58.89% and suppressing algal growth. Quantitative PCR and microbial sequencing confirmed that P supplementation increased ARG abundances by 37.58%-59.34%, with organic phosphorus groups harboring higher ARG levels than those of IP groups. Low PS-NP concentrations further promoted ARGs by 16.21% via mobile genetic elements (intI1 and tnpA-04) that mediate horizontal gene transfer, whereas high PS-NP concentrations reduced ARGs by 2.70% through diversity suppression. Proteobacteria dominated, with Brevundimonas and Aquimonas identified as potential ARG hosts. Microbial community assembly was a primary driver of resistome profiles, alongside mobile genetic elements and P metabolism. These findings highlight that nutrient-nanoplastic interactions accelerate ARG propagation in microalgae-bacteria systems, providing insights for managing environmental antibiotic resistance.
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Insights into the Differential Impacts of Polystyrene Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Sequencing Batch Reactor Performance: From Physiological Stress to Antibiotic Resistance Gene Dissemination
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Tiny plastic particles from everyday waste can slip into wastewater treatment plants and get absorbed into the microbes that clean our water. Researchers found that the smallest particles, nanoplastics, stressed these microbes and helped spread antibiotic resistance genes more than larger microplastics did. This matters because it suggests plastic pollution could be quietly helping antibiotic resistant bacteria multiply and spread through our water systems.
Nanoplastics amplify ARG colonization and Alter microbial communities in the phycosphere of Chlorella pyrenoidosa under antibiotic stress
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Researchers studied how nanoplastics combined with antibiotics affect the bacterial communities surrounding the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. They found that while nanoplastics alone had minimal effects on algal growth, the combination with antibiotics significantly increased toxicity and amplified the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes. The findings suggest that nanoplastic pollution in waterways may worsen the spread of antibiotic resistance, which has implications for both ecosystem and human health.
Distinct accumulation and dissemination of intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in nitrifying sludge under different microplastic stresses
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Scientists found that different types of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants can boost antibiotic-resistant bacteria in different ways, some plastics helped resistant genes spread more easily between bacteria, making the problem harder to contain. This matters because wastewater treatment plants are supposed to help protect us from pollution, but these findings suggest the type of plastic contamination present could affect how much antibiotic resistance ends up back in our environment, potentially making infections harder to treat down the line.
Microplastics mediates the spread of antimicrobial resistance plasmids via modulating conjugal gene expression
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This study found that four common types of microplastics can increase the spread of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria by up to 200-fold. The microplastics activated stress-response genes in bacteria that promote the sharing of resistance-carrying DNA. This links two major public health threats, showing that microplastic pollution could make antibiotic-resistant infections more common and harder to treat.
Micro- and Nanoplastics: Hidden Environmental Catalysts of Antimicrobial Resistance
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Tiny plastic bits called microplastics and nanoplastics—created when everyday plastic waste breaks down from sun exposure, weather, and other natural forces—have spread throughout our water, soil, and air. This review paper explains how these particles form and travel so easily through the environment, raising concerns about their potential role in helping harmful bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Understanding this hidden connection matters because antibiotic resistance is already a major public health threat, and widespread plastic pollution could be quietly making the problem worse.
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