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Review of the Presence and Phage-Mediated Transfer of ARGs in Biofilms
Summary
This review summarizes how bacterial communities that form protective films (biofilms) on surfaces -- including microplastics -- serve as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes that can spread to other bacteria. The paper highlights that viruses called bacteriophages can transfer these resistance genes between bacteria within biofilms, potentially accelerating the spread of drug-resistant infections that are increasingly difficult to treat.
The widespread use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of a large number of drug-resistant bacteria, accelerating the dissemination and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. Bacterial biofilms, serving as reservoirs of ARGs, pose potential risks to environmental health that should not be ignored. Studies on the presence and transfer of ARGs in biofilms have been conducted both domestically and internationally. This article summarises the research progress on ARGs in various environments and analyses the mechanisms and factors influencing the dissemination and transfer of ARGs in microplastics, activated sludge, and pipe wall biofilms, with a particular focus on phage-mediated ARG transfer. We also discuss current research gaps in this field to provide references for future biofilm management and health risk control of ARGs.
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