Article
?
AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button.
Tier 2
?
Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence.
Sign in to save
Plastisphere-hosted viruses: A review of interactions, behavior, and effects
Journal of Hazardous Materials2024
29 citations
?
Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 65
?
0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
This review examines how viruses attach to and thrive on microplastic surfaces in the environment, forming communities called the "plastisphere." These virus-laden microplastics can spread disease-causing agents through water and ecosystems, potentially reaching humans and posing public health risks that scientists are only beginning to understand.
Microbial communities, including bacteria, diatoms, and fungi, colonize plastic surfaces, forming biofilms known as the "plastisphere." Recent research has revealed that plastispheres also host a wide range of viruses, sparking interest in microbial ecology and virology. This shared habitat allows viruses to replicate, interact, infect, and spread, potentially impacting the environment and human health. Consequently, viruses attached to microplastics are now recognized to have broad effects on cellular and immune responses. However, the ecology and implications of viruses hosted in plastisphere habitats remain poorly understood, highlighting their fundamental importance as a subject of study. This review explores various pathways for virus attachment to plastispheres, factors influencing these interactions, their impacts within plastisphere and host-associated environments, and associated issues. It also summarizes current research and identifies knowledge gaps. We anticipate that this paper will help improve our predictive understanding of plastisphere viruses in natural settings and emphasizes the need for more research in real-world environments to advance the field.