Quorum sensing regulating the heterogeneous transformation of antibiotic resistance genes in microplastic biofilms

Plastisphere as an eco-site for horizontal gene transfer: Enhancing antibiotic resistance in marine biofilms

Effects and mechanism of microplastics on abundance and transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment - A critical review

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Tiny plastic particles polluting our water, soil, and even the air don't just sit there, this review of existing research shows they can act like rafts that help bacteria pick up antibiotic-resistance genes and spread them more easily, including in our gut environments. That's concerning because it means microplastic pollution could be quietly fueling the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant infections, making it harder to treat illnesses in the future. The researchers reviewed how this happens but say scientists still don't fully understand all the mechanisms behind it, so more research is needed to address the risk.

Microplastics as a Carrier of Antibiotic Resistance Genes: A Revision of Literature

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Researchers review evidence that microplastics act as carriers and hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes, influencing bacterial community composition in the environment and potentially accelerating the spread of antibiotic resistance — a dual threat to ecosystem and human health.

Microplastics In The Environment Help Spread Antibiotic Resistance And Change Microbial Interactions

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Microplastics in soil and aquatic environments serve as selective surfaces where antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes accumulate at higher concentrations than in surrounding water, accelerating the spread of antibiotic resistance through ecosystems. This interaction between plastic pollution and antimicrobial resistance represents a compounding public health threat, as microplastics could help propagate resistant pathogens into drinking water and food supplies.

Microplastic – A New Habitat for Biofilm Communities

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Microplastics in aquatic environments rapidly become colonized by microbial biofilms forming a distinct 'plastisphere' community that differs markedly from surrounding water microbiomes and may include pathogens and antibiotic-resistant organisms. This novel microplastic-associated habitat raises concerns about plastics serving as vectors for harmful microorganisms that can travel long distances through aquatic systems.