Microplastics as vectors for antibiotic resistance genes and their implications for gut health

Microplastic pollution contributes to the rise of antibiotic-resistance. Everyday items like food containers, water bottles, clothing, and cosmetics can increase people’s resistance to antibiotics. Microplastics in the environment serve as a suitable substrate for the production of “antibiotic-resistant genes” (ARGs). These genes are protected by bacterial chromosomes, phages, and plasmids, which are biological vectors capable of spreading and transferring antibiotic-resistance to humans, thereby reducing their ability to fight infections. In this study, we reviewed several articles that evaluated the abundance of ARGs and the changes in their expression in different environments. These changes were observed upon exposure to antibiotics such as tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, macrolides, and others, as well as microplastics, nanoplastics, or a combination of both. To assess the impact of these stressors on ARG abundance, we compiled data from various studies using heatmaps and tables of ARG abundances in tissues or various environments. By synthesizing this information, we aimed to identify which ARGs were upregulated or downregulated in response to each stressor. Our findings provide insights into the potential risks posed by environmental pollutants and underscore the importance of understanding the dynamics of ARGs in response to different stressors.