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Microplastics enhance the enrichment and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environments: A meta-analysis
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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 (MPs) serve as hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), significantly influencing their abundance and spread. However, a systematic evaluation of the effects of MPs on spread of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) remains absent. This meta-analysis, based on 388 ARGs pairs observations and 107 MGEs pairs observations from 10 studies, assessed the effects of MPs exposure on the abundance of ARGs and MGEs. The results showed significant increases in the abundance of ARGs and MGEs by 96.93 % and 44.48 %, respectively, under MPs exposure compared to the control. A marked increase in ARGs abundance was observed with polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) MPs, whereas MGEs abundance increased significantly under PE MPs. Both ARGs and MGEs abundances were higher under exposure to nm-sized MPs. Additionally, the abundances of ARGs and MGEs significantly increased when MPs concentrations surpassed 1000 mg/L for ARGs and 500 mg/L for MGEs. Following MPs exposure, ARGs increased across different aquatic environments, while MGEs were notably elevated in leachate filtrate and sewage. Regardless of MPs removal during detection, both ARGs and MGEs abundances showed significant increases. Furthermore, these abundances showed a cumulative effect with prolonged treatment duration. Random forest analysis revealed MPs size and treatment duration as the primary factors influencing ARGs and MGEs abundance. These findings emphasized the role of MPs in promoting ARGs enrichment and dissemination, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms. This offers valuable guidance for controlling the spread of ARGs and mitigating its environmental risks.
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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 (MPs) and Antimicrobial Resistance Gene (ARG) Dissemination: Impacts on Ecosystem Sustainability
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Researchers found that microplastics act as surfaces where antibiotic-resistant bacteria can form biofilms and share resistance genes, potentially helping dangerous superbugs spread through ecosystems. This connection between plastic pollution and antibiotic resistance poses a compounding threat to both environmental and human health.
The Impact of Microplastics on the Dissemination, Persistence, and Ecotoxicological Effects of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Terrestrial Ecosystems
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This review examined a decade of research on microplastics as carriers of antibiotic resistance genes in terrestrial ecosystems, showing that plastic surfaces enhance gene transmission and soil abundance while exerting toxic effects on microorganisms, plants, and animals. The coupling of microplastic pollution with antibiotic resistance spread represents a compounding public health threat with implications for food safety and the global antimicrobial resistance crisis.
Microplastics, Nanoplastics and Nanoparticles: Emerging Dynamic Carriers of Extracellular DNA Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Environment
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Researchers reviewed how microplastics, nanoplastics, and engineered nanoparticles can carry extracellular DNA containing antibiotic resistance genes, potentially spreading antimicrobial resistance through aquatic environments, and called for improved wastewater treatment and agricultural chemical regulation to reduce this underappreciated public health risk.
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