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Promotion of microplastic degradation on the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut of macrobenthic invertebrates
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Researchers found that microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes are both widespread in lake sediments and bottom-dwelling invertebrates, and that smaller microplastic particles carry more resistance genes per particle. In feeding experiments with insect larvae, they discovered that the breakdown of microplastics in the animals' guts actually promotes the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria. The study reveals a previously unknown link between microplastic degradation and the spread of antibiotic resistance in freshwater environments.
Microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes are two new pollutants in water environments, and they have potential risks to human health and ecological safety. On the basis of the accumulation of pollutants and microorganisms in sediment, macrobenthic invertebrates are considered as potential practitioners of microplastic degradation and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) transfer. However, whether microplastic degradation can affect ARG transfer in aquatic environments, especially in the gut of macrobenthic invertebrates, remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that microplastics including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride(PVC), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyurethane (PU), and ARGs including tetA, sul1, sul2, and sul3 were widely distributed in sediment and benthic invertebrates in Nansi lake. The distribution of ARGs was related to the number and size of microplastic particles. In particular, it was found for the first time that the content of ARGs corresponding to individual particles was linearly and negatively correlated with the size of microplastics. The results of animal feeding experiments showed that microplastic degradation in the gut of Chironomidae larvae could promote the conjugative transfer of ARGs. The underlying molecular mechanism was SOS response. This study provides a new method for the analysis of the interaction effect of multiple pollutants in freshwater environments.
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Polyethylene microplastics specifically drive the dissemination of ARGs: Mechanisms involving microbial community restructuring and horizontal gene transfer
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Size-dependent enhancement on conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes by micro/nanoplastics
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Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics were found to enhance the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria, with smaller nano-sized particles producing stronger effects than larger microplastics. The findings raise concern that plastic pollution may be actively accelerating the spread of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments.
Effect of microplastics on oxytetracycline trophic transfer: Immune, gut microbiota and antibiotic resistance gene responses
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When polypropylene microplastics and the antibiotic oxytetracycline were present together in water, the microplastics acted as carriers that increased antibiotic buildup in shrimp and fish through the food chain. This combination caused more gut and liver damage, weakened immune defenses, and promoted the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The findings highlight that microplastics can make antibiotic pollution worse by helping resistant genes move up the food chain.
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