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Nanoplastics-mediated physiologic and genomic responses in pathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7
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This study found that nanoplastics can change the behavior of a dangerous strain of E. coli bacteria, boosting the activity of toxin genes and encouraging the bacteria to form protective biofilms. This raises concern that plastic pollution in the environment could make disease-causing bacteria harder to fight, potentially increasing infection risks for people.
The widespread occurrence of microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) in the environment is commonly thought to negatively impact living organisms; however, there remains a considerable lack of understanding regarding the actual risks associated with exposure. Microorganisms, including pathogenic bacteria, frequently interact with MPs/NPs in various ecosystems, triggering physiological responses that warrant a deeper understanding. The present study experimentally demonstrated the impact of surface-functionalized differentially charged polystyrene (PS) NPs on the physiology of human pathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and their influence on biofilm formation. Our results suggest that charged NPs can influence the growth, viability, virulence, physiological stress response, and biofilm lifestyle of the pathogen. Positively-charged NPs were found to have a bacteriostatic effect on planktonic cell growth and affect cellular viability and biofilm initiation compared to negatively charged and uncharged NPs. The transcriptomic and gene expression data indicated significant changes in the global gene expression profile of cells exposed to NPs, including the differential expression of genes encoding several metabolic pathways associated with stress response and virulence. Significant upregulation of Shiga-like toxin (stx), quorum sensing, and biofilm initiation genes was observed in NP-exposed biofilm samples. Overall, exposure to NPs did not significantly affect the survival of pathogens but affected their growth and biofilm development pattern, and most importantly, their virulence traits.
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How nanoscale plastics facilitate the evolution of antibiotic resistance?
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Researchers explored how nanoscale plastic particles promote the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. They found that exposure to nanoplastics increased oxidative stress in bacteria, which in turn accelerated mutations and horizontal gene transfer that confer resistance to antibiotics. The study suggests that nanoplastic pollution could be an overlooked factor contributing to the global antibiotic resistance crisis.
Yazhini-Vinoth-Kumar/Polystyrene-Nanoplastics-Elicit-Coupled-Oxidative-and-Membrane-Stress-in-Escherichia-coli-: Source data for manuscript submission
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics (broken-down bits of everyday plastic) can damage bacteria by attacking their outer membrane and causing harmful cell stress, using E. coli as a test case. Since bacteria like this live in our gut and throughout our environment, this research suggests nanoplastics could disrupt the microbes our bodies depend on, though more studies are needed to know exactly what this means for human health.
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