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How do woodlice deal with infection after exposure to microplastics?
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Researchers tested whether prior microplastic exposure affects the immune response of woodlice (Porcellio scaber) to subsequent bacterial infection. Microplastic-exposed woodlice showed altered infection outcomes, suggesting that plastic pollution can compromise invertebrate immune defense against pathogens.
There is an increasing evidence suggesting that environmental changes and the presence of pollutants can trigger a stress response in organisms. Our previous work has shown that woodlice (Porcellio scaber) elicit a clear immune response after exposure to microplastics in soil. However, it remained unclear what this change means for the organism's ability to fight various challenges. The aim of this study was to investigate the immune response and survival of P. scaber when confronted with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge subsequent to pre-exposure to microplastics, i.e. tire particles (TP). Tire particles are prevalent plastic debris that enter the soil mainly through tire abrasion. In addition, a positive control, the pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF), was also tested. The woodlice were exposed to TP (1.5 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559069/document
More Papers Like This
How do woodlice deal with infection after exposure to microplastics?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how microplastic exposure affects the ability of woodlice to fight bacterial infection, finding that pre-exposed animals had altered immune responses. Microplastic-contaminated soil environments may therefore make invertebrates more susceptible to infectious disease.
Response of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber to lipopolysaccharide challenge after microplastic and insecticide exposure
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Researchers exposed terrestrial pill bugs (Porcellio scaber) to tire particle microplastics in soil for 14 days, then challenged them with a bacterial toxin to test their immune response. The study suggests that prior exposure to microplastics, especially in combination with the insecticide chlorpyrifos, can compromise the animals' ability to mount an effective immune defense against infections.
Overview of the impacts of microplastics on terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber: from immune response to higher-tier levels
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This review synthesizes research on the immune, energetic, survival, and feeding responses of the terrestrial woodlouse Porcellio scaber to multiple microplastic types including tire wear particles, textile fibers, polypropylene from medical masks, and LDPE fragments. Results across studies show that microplastic exposure triggers an initial immune response that gradually returns to baseline with prolonged exposure, with variation in effects depending on plastic type and associated chemicals.
Time-dependent immune response in Porcellio scaber following exposure to microplastics and natural particles
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Researchers investigated the immune response of the terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber to polyester fibers and tire particles over different exposure durations, finding time-dependent immune changes that differed between microplastic types and natural particle controls.
Effects of microplastics from cigarette filters on terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates
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Researchers prepared microplastics from cellulose acetate cigarette filter material, both pristine and UV-aged, and tested their effects on Daphnia magna, Tenebrio molitor mealworm larvae, and Porcellio scaber terrestrial crustaceans. Short-term exposure slightly altered immune parameters in woodlice while longer exposures caused no immune changes, and mealworm energy-related traits were also affected, indicating invertebrate-specific and dose-dependent responses to cigarette filter-derived microplastics.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.