We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
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.
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 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.
Response of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber to lipopolysaccharide challenge after microplastic and insecticide exposure
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Microplastic Moves Pollutants and Additives to Worms, Reducing Functions Linked to Health and Biodiversity
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed lugworms to sediment containing 5% microplastic pre-loaded with pollutants and plastic additives, confirming that ingested microplastic transfers chemicals into gut tissue — with nonylphenol uptake from PVC reducing immune cell function by over 60% and triclosan from PVC causing sediment-engineering impairment and mortality exceeding 55%.
Effects of microplastics from disposable medical masks on terrestrial invertebrates
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how microplastics from disposable medical masks affect soil invertebrates including woodlice, mealworms, and enchytraeids over 21 days. While the microplastics did not cause severe effects on survival or reproduction, the study found transient immune responses in woodlice and changes in energy metabolism in mealworms, particularly from outer-layer mask particles. The long-term fitness implications of these sublethal responses remain unclear.
Microplastic pollution inhibits the phagocytosis of E. coli by earthworm immune cells in soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered that polystyrene microplastics inhibit the ability of earthworm immune cells to engulf bacteria through phagocytosis, both in laboratory tests and in soil experiments. The microplastics also caused mitochondrial damage in intestinal tissue and suppressed oxidative stress responses in immune cells. This is the first study to demonstrate that microplastic pollution in soil can compromise the immune defenses of earthworms, key organisms in soil ecosystem health.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.