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The Microplastic–biofilm–resistome Nexus: the Role of Environmental Microplastics in the Formation and Dissemination of Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria and the Potential Consequences for Human Health
Summary
Tiny plastic bits (microplastics) that end up in water and soil aren't just pollution, they can act like rafts where bacteria cluster together and swap genes that help them resist antibiotics. This review pulls together existing research suggesting these plastic "biofilms" could be a hidden pathway for drug-resistant germs to spread through the environment and potentially reach humans. While more research is needed to confirm real-world health risks, it's a reminder that plastic pollution and the growing problem of antibiotic resistance may be more connected than we think.
Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are increasingly recognized not only as persistent environmental contaminants but also as biologically active surfaces capable of supporting dense microbial biofilms known as the plastisphere. The convergence of microplastic surfaces, biofilm development and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) constitutes a potentially important environmental pathway for the persistence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.