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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Polyvinyl chloride microplastic triggers bidirectional transmission of antibiotic resistance genes in soil-earthworm systems
ClearPolyvinyl chloride microplastics disseminate antibiotic resistance genes in soil: A metagenomic analysis
This study used metagenomic analysis to show that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in soil, acting as a vehicle that transfers resistance between different soil bacteria. This is alarming because it links plastic pollution directly to the antibiotic resistance crisis — one of the greatest threats to modern medicine.
Polyvinyl chloride microplastics disseminate antibiotic resistance genes in soil: A metagenomic analysis
This study used metagenomic analysis to show that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in soil, acting as a vehicle that transfers resistance between different soil bacteria. This is alarming because it links plastic pollution directly to the antibiotic resistance crisis — one of the greatest threats to modern medicine.
Polyvinyl chloride microplastics disseminate antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese soil: A metagenomic analysis
Researchers used metagenomic analysis to investigate how polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese soils. They found that PVC microplastics significantly influenced soil bacterial community composition and increased the abundance of certain antibiotic resistance genes. The study raises concerns that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may accelerate the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
Microplastics enhance the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in mariculture sediments by enriching host bacteria and promoting horizontal gene transfer
Researchers found that polystyrene and PVC microplastics in marine sediments increased the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes by 1.4 to 2.8 times compared to sediment without plastics. PVC was particularly harmful because its chemical additives, including heavy metals and bisphenol A, promoted bacteria to share resistance genes more readily. These findings show that microplastic pollution in oceans is directly contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a major public health concern.
Polyvinyl chloride promoted the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese soil: A metagenomic viewpoint
Researchers conducted a nationwide metagenomic study across 20 provinces in China, adding polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics to soils with varying physical and chemical properties and evaluating impacts on bacterial community structure and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) abundance. Structural equation modelling revealed that PVC microplastics significantly altered soil microbiomes and promoted ARG dissemination, highlighting plastic pollution as a driver of antimicrobial resistance spread in agricultural soils.
Pivotal role of earthworm gut protists in mediating antibiotic resistance genes under microplastic and sulfamethoxazole stress in soil–earthworm systems
Researchers found that gut protists in earthworms play a pivotal role in mediating the spread of antibiotic resistance genes when earthworms are co-exposed to microplastics and antibiotics in soil, identifying a previously overlooked biological pathway for AMR dissemination.
Microplastics in Motion: How Earthworm Guts Become Microbial Gateways through Plastic Surface Dynamics
This study tracked how microplastics move through earthworm digestive systems and found that the gut environment alters the microbial communities colonizing plastic surfaces, potentially transforming earthworms into vectors that spread plastic-associated microbes through soil ecosystems.
Effect of polyethylene microplastics on antibiotic resistance genes: A comparison based on different soil types and plant types
This study compared how polyethylene microplastics affect antibiotic resistance genes across different soil types and found that contaminated soils and the presence of certain plants influenced which resistance genes proliferated. The results suggest that microplastics in agricultural soil can help spread antibiotic resistance, which is a serious concern for human health because resistant bacteria can enter the food supply through crops.
Polystyrene microplastics impact the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in earthworms by size-dependent toxic effects
Researchers exposed earthworms to polystyrene microplastics of different sizes in soil and found that 10-micrometer particles at low concentrations led to the highest abundance of antibiotic resistance genes. The microplastics caused toxicity that altered gut microbial communities, changing the microenvironment and favoring bacteria carrying resistance genes. The study highlights that microplastic size plays a critical role in driving the spread of antibiotic resistance in terrestrial environments.
Low-density polyethylene enhances the disturbance of microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes transfer in soil-earthworm system induced by pyraclostrobin
When earthworms were exposed to both polyethylene microplastics and a common fungicide (pyraclostrobin), the microplastics increased the pesticide's absorption into the earthworms' bodies and caused more severe oxidative damage than either pollutant alone. The combination also dramatically increased antibiotic resistance genes in both the soil and earthworm gut. This is concerning because it shows microplastics in farmland can amplify the spread of antibiotic resistance, a major threat to human medicine.
The effects of high-density polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics on the soil and earthworm Metaphire guillelmi gut microbiota
Researchers exposed earthworms to soil amended with high-density polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics for 28 days and examined changes in both the earthworm gut and soil microbial communities. They found that both types of microplastics significantly altered the composition and diversity of gut bacteria in the earthworms. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in soil can disrupt the gut microbiota of soil organisms, with potential consequences for soil ecosystem health.
The combined effect of microplastics and tetracycline on soil microbial communities and ARGs
Researchers studied how simultaneous exposure to microplastics and tetracycline affects soil microbial communities, finding that the combination disrupted microbial diversity, altered functional gene expression, and promoted horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes beyond the effects of either pollutant alone.
Microplastics combined with tetracycline in soils facilitate the formation of antibiotic resistance in the Enchytraeus crypticus microbiome
Soil invertebrates (Enchytraeus crypticus) were exposed to microplastics and tetracycline alone and in combination; combined exposure promoted greater shifts in gut microbiome composition and higher levels of antibiotic resistance genes than either stressor alone, suggesting microplastics exacerbate antibiotic resistance spread in soil.
Different microplastics distinctively enriched the antibiotic resistance genes in anaerobic sludge digestion through shifting specific hosts and promoting horizontal gene flow
Researchers examined how polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect antibiotic resistance genes during sewage sludge digestion and found that both plastic types promoted the spread of resistance genes, but through different mechanisms. Polyethylene surfaces attracted specific bacteria that carry resistance genes, while PVC promoted horizontal gene transfer between organisms. The study raises concerns about wastewater treatment plants becoming hotspots for antibiotic resistance when microplastics are present.
Dynamic impact of polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics on antibiotic resistance and microplastics degradation genes in the rhizosphere of Oryza sativa L.
This study found that PET nanoplastics in rice paddy soil boosted the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in soil bacteria by up to significant levels. The plastics provided surfaces for bacteria to grow on and produced toxic byproducts that sped up gene sharing between microbes. This means microplastic pollution in agricultural soil could make antibiotic-resistant infections harder to treat in people.
Sources, interactions, influencing factors and ecological risks of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes in soil: A review
Microplastics in soil serve as hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes, with the plastisphere — the microbial community colonizing plastic surfaces — facilitating horizontal gene transfer of resistance markers. Key factors driving this interaction include microplastic properties, soil chemistry, and agricultural practices, though research in soil environments is still at an early stage compared to aquatic systems.
Microplastic biofilm may shape microbial community enriched with antibiotic resistance genes to enhance nitrogen transformation under antibiotic stress
This study found that biofilms growing on PVC microplastics in water helped remove nitrogen pollutants but also concentrated antibiotic resistance genes, with the same bacteria often carrying both pollution-cleaning and drug-resistance capabilities. The findings raise concerns that microplastic pollution in waterways could accelerate the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which poses a growing threat to human health.
Polyvinyl chloride microplastics in the aquatic environment enrich potential pathogenic bacteria and spread antibiotic resistance genes in the fish gut
When carp were exposed to PVC microplastics along with common antibiotics, the combination promoted the growth of potentially harmful bacteria and increased the number of antibiotic resistance genes in the fish gut. This is concerning for human health because antibiotic-resistant bacteria can transfer from aquatic environments and food fish to people, making infections harder to treat.
Microplastic diversity increases the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil
When different types of microplastics accumulate together in soil, they increase the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria. The more diverse the mix of microplastic shapes, colors, and types, the greater the increase in these resistance genes. This is concerning for human health because antibiotic-resistant bacteria in soil can potentially transfer to people through food and water.
Co-existence of polyethylene microplastics and tetracycline on soil microbial community and ARGs
This study examined how polyethylene microplastics and the antibiotic tetracycline interact in soil. When present together, they altered soil microbial communities and increased the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes more than either contaminant alone. The findings raise concerns that microplastics in agricultural soil may worsen the spread of antibiotic resistance, a growing public health challenge.
Biodegradable microplastics induced the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in soil: A metagenomic perspective
Researchers found that biodegradable microplastics promoted the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in soil at levels comparable to conventional microplastics, challenging assumptions about their environmental safety.
Tracking antibiotic resistance genes in microplastic-contaminated soil
Researchers used metagenomics to track antibiotic resistance genes in agricultural soils with long histories of plastic mulch use across eight Chinese provinces, identifying 204 subtypes of resistance genes alongside thousands of mobile genetic elements, demonstrating that microplastic-contaminated soils are significant reservoirs for antibiotic resistance spread.
The formation of specific bacterial communities contributes to the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes in the soil plastisphere
Researchers used metagenomic approaches to study how microplastic surfaces in soil become enriched with antibiotic resistance genes through the formation of specific bacterial communities. The study tested three types of microplastics at two particle sizes and found that antibiotic resistance gene abundances significantly increased in the plastisphere compared to surrounding soil. Evidence indicates that microplastics in soil may serve as hotspots for the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Varying characteristics and driving mechanisms of antibiotic resistance genes in farmland soil amended with high-density polyethylene microplastics
A 60-day soil experiment found that high-density polyethylene microplastics containing phthalate additives significantly enhanced antibiotic resistance gene abundance in farmland soil compared to plastics without phthalates, identifying phthalate release as a key driver of microplastic-associated ARG enrichment.