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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic-Mediated Transfer of Tetracycline Resistance: Unveiling the Role of Mussels in Marine Ecosystems
ClearMicroplastic pollution increases gene exchange in aquatic ecosystems
Researchers found that microplastics in aquatic environments serve as surfaces where bacteria form biofilms and exchange genes at higher rates than free-living bacteria. The study demonstrated increased transfer of antibiotic resistance genes among a wide range of bacterial species growing on microplastic particles. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution could accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance in waterways, posing a potential hazard to both ecosystems and human health.
Microplastic biofilms promote the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in estuarine environments
Researchers compared how effectively antibiotic resistance genes transfer between bacteria floating freely in water versus bacteria living in biofilms on microplastic surfaces. They found that microplastic biofilms significantly enhanced the transfer of resistance genes compared to free-floating bacteria, with factors like extracellular DNA and cell membrane permeability playing key roles. The study suggests that microplastics in estuaries may act as hotspots for spreading antibiotic resistance in the environment.
Selective enrichment of bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in microplastic biofilms and their potential hazards in coral reef ecosystems
Researchers found that microplastic surfaces in coral reef waters selectively collect bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes, with the concentration of resistant bacteria linked to antibiotic levels in the surrounding water. The bacterial communities on microplastics were enriched for disease-related pathways compared to the surrounding seawater. This means microplastics in marine environments could serve as vehicles for spreading drug-resistant infections, posing risks to both coral ecosystems and human health.
New insight into the effect of microplastics on antibiotic resistance and bacterial community of biofilm
Researchers found that different types of microplastics promote distinct biofilm communities and enhance antibiotic resistance gene proliferation compared to natural substrates, suggesting microplastics serve as unique platforms for the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Microbial gene exchange on microplastic particles
This study examined how microplastic particles in aquatic environments facilitate the exchange of genetic material between bacteria, including potentially pathogenic or antibiotic-resistant strains. The findings suggest that microplastics could accelerate the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes in aquatic ecosystems, which has implications for human health.
Selective enrichment of bacterial pathogens by microplastic biofilm
Researchers incubated biofilms on microplastics and natural substrates in freshwater and found that microplastic surfaces selectively enriched bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes compared to rock and leaf surfaces. The study suggests that microplastics in waterways may serve as hotspots for harmful bacteria and contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment.
From Interface to Cell: The Complex Interaction and Transfer Process Coupling Mechanism between Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Researchers examined how microplastic surfaces act as vectors for spreading antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment systems. The study found that aged microplastics of PET, PE, and PP promoted bacterial adhesion, enhanced horizontal gene transfer, and triggered overproduction of reactive oxygen species, ultimately amplifying the spread of antimicrobial resistance through multiple molecular mechanisms.
Microplastic-Mediated Dissemination of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Marine Environments: Mechanisms, Environmental Modulators, and Emerging Risks
This review examines how microplastics serve as vectors for spreading antibiotic resistance genes in marine environments through biofilm formation and horizontal gene transfer. Researchers found that plastic surfaces promote colonization by resistant bacteria, and environmental factors like salinity, UV exposure, and co-occurring heavy metals further accelerate the spread of resistance genes, posing significant ecological and public health risks.
Effect of microplastics on oxytetracycline trophic transfer: Immune, gut microbiota and antibiotic resistance gene responses
When polypropylene microplastics and the antibiotic oxytetracycline were present together in water, the microplastics acted as carriers that increased antibiotic buildup in shrimp and fish through the food chain. This combination caused more gut and liver damage, weakened immune defenses, and promoted the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The findings highlight that microplastics can make antibiotic pollution worse by helping resistant genes move up the food chain.
Microplastics exhibit accumulation and horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes
Researchers investigated whether microplastics in wastewater treatment plants can accumulate and spread antibiotic resistance genes. They found that bacteria growing on microplastic surfaces in treatment tanks harbored antibiotic resistance genes and transferred them at higher rates than bacteria in the surrounding water. This suggests microplastics in wastewater systems may serve as hotspots for spreading antibiotic resistance, posing potential risks to both ecosystems and human health.
Effects of aged microplastics on the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in oysters and their excreta
Researchers studied how aged microplastics affect the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in oysters and their excreta. The study found that microplastics can serve as carriers for antibiotic resistance genes in filter-feeding organisms, potentially exacerbating the spread of antibiotic resistance in aquaculture environments where plastic contamination is widespread.
Underestimated Risks of Microplastics on the Environmental Spread of Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Researchers highlight how microplastics in aquatic environments can accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, a risk that current assessment methods may significantly underestimate. Biofilms that form on microplastic surfaces create conditions where bacteria are in close contact, facilitating the transfer of resistance genes between species. The study argues that standard microplastic detection methods miss many small particles, meaning the true scope of this resistance-spreading pathway is likely much larger than reported.
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.
Marine plastisphere selectively enriches microbial assemblages and antibiotic resistance genes during long-term cultivation periods
Researchers placed four types of common microplastics in a marine environment for over 100 days and found that bacterial communities and antibiotic resistance genes accumulated on the plastic surfaces over time. PVC microplastics were particularly effective at concentrating resistance genes, and a key gene-transfer element was found on all plastic types. These results show that microplastics floating in the ocean act as hotspots for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which could eventually reach humans through seafood or water.
Assessment of bioavailability of microplastic-sorbed tetracycline to bacteria for activation of antibiotic resistance genes in water environments
Researchers examined whether antibiotics adsorbed onto microplastics retain their biological activity against bacteria in water environments. They found that tetracycline bound to microplastic surfaces remained bioavailable enough to promote the activation of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic bacteria. The study suggests that microplastics carrying adsorbed antibiotics may contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance in water systems rather than simply immobilizing the drugs.
The impact of microplastics on antibiotic resistance genes, metal resistance genes, and bacterial community in aquaculture environment
Researchers discovered that microplastics in fish farming environments carry significantly higher levels of antibiotic resistance genes and disease-causing bacteria like Brucella and Pseudomonas compared to surrounding water. This means microplastics may act as floating platforms that help spread antibiotic-resistant infections through aquaculture, potentially reaching humans who consume the seafood.
Bacterial community succession and the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in an oyster farm
Researchers placed different types of microplastics in an oyster farm for 30 days and found that the plastics quickly became coated with bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains and potential human pathogens. The bacterial communities on plastic surfaces were distinct from those in the surrounding water and varied by plastic type. This means microplastics in seafood farming areas could serve as vehicles for spreading dangerous bacteria to humans through the food chain.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria colonising microplastics in the aquatic environment: An emerging challenge
Researchers reviewed how microplastics in aquatic environments act as surfaces where antibiotic-resistant bacteria can grow and swap resistance genes with each other, raising concern that contaminated seafood and water could transfer these hard-to-treat bacteria to humans.
Promotion of antibiotic-resistant genes dissemination by the micro/nanoplastics in the gut of snail Achatina fulica
Researchers studied how micro- and nanoplastics affect the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut of edible snails. They found that smaller plastic particles at higher concentrations significantly promoted the transfer of resistance genes between bacteria through conjugation. The study suggests that plastic contamination in food animals could accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance, which is a growing public health concern.
A review focusing on mechanisms and ecological risks of enrichment and propagation of antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements by microplastic biofilms
This review examines how microplastics in water serve as surfaces for bacterial biofilms that harbor antibiotic resistance genes. The biofilms that form on microplastic surfaces can spread resistance genes to other bacteria and potentially to organisms that ingest them, including fish and ultimately humans. The authors highlight that microplastic-associated antibiotic resistance is an underappreciated public health risk that needs more research.
Microplastics and Their Role in the Maintenance and Spread of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Marine Ecosystems
This review examines the role of microplastics in maintaining and spreading antibiotic resistance genes in marine ecosystems, synthesizing evidence that plastic pollution in aquatic environments creates reservoirs for antimicrobial resistant bacteria and facilitates horizontal gene transfer.
Bio-based microplastics as vectors of resistance genes under combined pressure of antibiotics and heavy metals in marine environment
Researchers compared biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance gene accumulation on conventional polyethylene versus bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics in marine environments exposed to antibiotics and heavy metals. They found that while polyethylene was more conducive to initial bacterial colonization, PLA microplastics were more likely to serve as carriers of resistance genes under experimental conditions. The study suggests that bio-based plastics may contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance in marine environments.
Enhanced propagation of intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in municipal wastewater by microplastics
Researchers investigated how microplastics in municipal wastewater can carry and promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, including those found both inside and outside bacterial cells. They found that microplastics adsorbed both types of resistance genes and enhanced their transfer between bacteria through horizontal gene transfer. The study reveals that microplastics in wastewater systems may act as an underappreciated accelerator of antibiotic resistance spread.
Nano- and Microplastics Aided by Extracellular Polymeric Substances Facilitate the Conjugative Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Bacteria
Researchers found that nanoplastics and small microplastics significantly enhance the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria by damaging cell membranes and stimulating extracellular polymeric substance production, raising concerns about plastic pollution driving antimicrobial resistance.