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First evidence of microplastic-associated extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in the Red River Delta, Vietnam
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Researchers collected microplastics from water in Vietnam's Red River Delta and found that bacteria clinging to the plastic surfaces carried antibiotic resistance genes — including genes that make bacteria resistant to important beta-lactam antibiotics — at higher rates than free-floating bacteria. The findings provide some of the first evidence that microplastics in this region are actively spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a serious public health concern.
This study investigated the relationship between MiPs, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and water quality in the Red River Delta. MiPs were collected from water samples at four locations: Hanoi, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Cat Ba Island. Bacteria isolated from MiPs and the surrounding water were analyzed for β-lactamase genes. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polytridecanolactone (PTDL) exhibited notable correlations with coefficients with microbial abundance on MiPs. Aeromonas (99.2 % of all isolates) were the most common bacteria isolated from MiPs, with a fewer Escherichia coli (0.83 %). Of 207 bacterial strains isolated from microplastic, 23 (~11 % of total) were found to carry antibiotic resistance genes, mostly bla TEM (13/23; 56.5 %), bla SHV (9/23; 39.1 %) and bla CTXM -9 (1/23; 4.3 %). All seven environmental factors measured were found to affect the distribution of ARGs and ARBs on MiP surfaces. Chlorophyll-a showed a strong positive correlation with ARB abundance, suggesting a potential link between primary productivity and bacterial colonization. This study is one of the first to report the association of MPs with antibiotic-resistant microbiota and genes. The presence of ARGs on MiPs in areas with high human population highlights the need for effective pollution management strategies to mitigate the risks associated with AMR. • MiPs facilitate the dissemination of microbes in aquatic environments • ESBL genes were identified in ARB isolated from MiPs • A weak correlation found between MiP types and the microbial communities on MiPs • ARG occurrence was well-correlated with ARB abundance and environmental factors • Co-occurrence of two or more types of ARGs detected in isolated strains
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Researchers placed microplastics in a river near a wastewater treatment plant and found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including dangerous carbapenem-resistant strains, colonized the plastic surfaces. These bacteria carried multiple drug-resistance genes and virulence traits, making them potential threats to human health. The study demonstrates that microplastics in waterways can serve as floating platforms that help spread antibiotic-resistant superbugs from wastewater into the broader environment.
Role of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes in the dissemination of β-lactam resistance within aquatic environments: mechanisms, persistence, and one health implications
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This review pulls together existing research showing that rivers, lakes, and other water systems aren't just passive dumping grounds for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, they're active breeding grounds where resistance genes spread and evolve, including within biofilms and on microplastic surfaces. This matters because these drug-resistant bacteria can make their way back to humans, potentially making common infections harder to treat with standard antibiotics.
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Scientists tested whether microplastics in the Weser estuary in Germany carry multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing E. coli, finding resistant bacteria on plastic surfaces at concentrations above surrounding water, confirming that microplastics can serve as vectors for antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
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Researchers placed microplastics in river water and found they accumulated more antibiotic-resistant bacteria than natural sand particles, including dangerous pathogens like E. coli and Klebsiella. Most of the bacteria isolated from the plastic surfaces were multi-drug resistant and carried virulence traits like biofilm formation. This suggests microplastics in waterways may act as rafts for spreading antibiotic resistance through the environment.
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This review examines growing evidence that microplastics serve as hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes in the environment. Researchers found that microplastics selectively accumulate antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes on their surfaces across wastewater, aquatic, and terrestrial environments. The dense bacterial communities and concentrated pollutants on microplastic surfaces create favorable conditions for the spread and evolution of antibiotic resistance, raising concerns about potential risks to human health.
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