We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polyethylene microplastics decreased the chlorine disinfection efficacy of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes
No summary available — this paper's abstract is not included in the open metadata provided by the publisher. Learn why →
More Papers Like This
Microplastics enhance the enrichment and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environments: A meta-analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles in water aren't just pollution, this analysis of multiple studies found they nearly double the amount of antibiotic-resistant bacteria genes in aquatic environments, essentially acting as gathering spots where these genes multiply and spread more easily. This matters because antibiotic resistance is already a major public health threat, and if microplastics in our waterways are helping resistant bacteria thrive and share their resistance traits, that could make infections harder to treat down the line, especially since smaller plastic particles seemed to make the problem worse.
Microplastics as a Carrier of Antibiotic Resistance Genes: A Revision of Literature
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Effects and mechanism of microplastics on abundance and transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment - A critical review
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Study of the Effect of Microplastics on the Generation of Chlorinated Disinfection Byproducts of Ciprofloxacin
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene microplastics affect the formation of chlorinated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) when the antibiotic ciprofloxacin is chlorinated during water treatment, finding that microplastics had minimal effect on overall DBP generation. The study clarifies that while microplastics co-occur with antibiotics in treated water, they do not substantially amplify the formation of toxic chlorinated byproducts during disinfection — an important finding for drinking water safety assessment.
Investigation of the effect of microplastics on the UV inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics significantly reduced UV disinfection effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as bacteria associated with microplastic surfaces were shielded from UV exposure, creating a potential public health concern.
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.