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[Microplastics-Induced Shifts of Diversity and Abundance of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in River Water].
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This Chinese study used high-throughput quantitative PCR to measure how different microplastic types affect the diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in river water. Polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics both increased the overall abundance of resistance genes, supporting concerns that microplastics act as reservoirs and spreaders of antibiotic resistance in freshwater systems.
Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are both considered emerging contaminants of increasing concern because their combined pollution poses a serious risk to the ecological environment and human health. In this study, high-throughput quantitative PCR techniques were used to investigate the diversity and abundance of ARGs in river water, to which two different microplastics (PVC and PVA) were added for aerated incubation. The results showed that ARGs in river water were diverse, and microplastics could induce more types of ARGs. Although the number and abundance of ARGs decreased in all three treatments, which were cultivated for 14 d by aeration, compared to those in non-treated samples, the total abundance of ARGs in treatments aerated with MPs were higher than those aerated without MPs, especially in the samples treated with water-soluble microplastics (PVA). Significant correlations between the abundance of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were observed, implying that the occurrence of MGEs may potentially affect the transmission and distribution of ARGs through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in river water.
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[Distribution of Microplastic and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Pollution in Jiulong River Estuary].
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This Chinese-language study characterized microplastic distribution in water and sediment from the Jiulong River estuary in China and measured antibiotic resistance gene abundance at the same sites. The researchers found that microplastic-rich areas tended to have higher concentrations of antibiotic resistance genes, consistent with the hypothesis that microplastics can harbor and spread resistant bacteria. The co-occurrence of these two types of pollution in estuaries poses combined ecological and public health risks.
Impact of Urbanization on Antibiotic Resistome in Different Microplastics: Evidence from a Large-Scale Whole River Analysis
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Researchers conducted a large-scale river survey across urbanization gradients and characterized antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics from each zone, finding that urbanization level strongly predicted the diversity and abundance of resistance genes on plastic surfaces.
Distinct profile of bacterial community and antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in Ganjiang River at the watershed level
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Researchers investigated microplastic pollution and associated bacterial communities, human pathogenic bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes across the Ganjiang River watershed. They found microplastics were widely distributed with an average of 407 particles per cubic meter, and that microplastic surfaces harbored significantly higher bacterial diversity and more antibiotic resistance genes than surrounding water or sediment.
Wastewater discharges and polymer type modulate the riverine plastisphere and set the role of microplastics as vectors of pathogens and antibiotic resistance
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Researchers investigated how wastewater treatment plant discharges and polymer type shape microbial communities on microplastics in a river environment. They found that microplastics harbored significantly higher microbial diversity than surrounding water, and that wastewater discharges led to a 2.3-fold increase in antibiotic resistance gene abundance on the plastic surfaces. Different polymer types, including polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET, each attracted distinct microbial communities with varying levels of pathogens and resistance genes.
Metagenomic insights into ecological risk of antibiotic resistome and mobilome in riverine plastisphere under impact of urbanization
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This study used advanced genetic sequencing to examine antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics found in an urban river. Microplastics harbored more antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements than natural materials like rocks and wood, and the problem was worse in more urbanized areas. The findings suggest that microplastics in waterways can act as hotspots for spreading antibiotic resistance, which is a growing public health threat.
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