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Microplastic biofilm as hotspots of antibiotic resistance genes and potential pathogens
Summary
This review examined how microplastic biofilms—the plastisphere—serve as hotspots for antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) accumulation and potential pathogen enrichment. The authors described mechanisms by which microplastic surfaces promote horizontal gene transfer and bacterial community shifts that favor ARG-carrying strains, raising concern that microplastics accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments.
Microplastic biofilms, known as the "plastisphere", harbor diverse microbial communities and serve as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This review discussed the mechanisms driving bacterial community alteration on microplastics and delineated the pathways through which ARGs transfer within microplastic biofilms. We expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ecological and human health impacts associated with microplastic biofilms and ARGs, thereby informing strategies to mitigate plastic pollution and its risks.