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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Effect of polyethylene microplastics on antibiotic resistance genes: A comparison based on different soil types and plant types
ClearCharacteristics of tetracycline antibiotic resistance gene enrichment and migration in soil–plant system
This review examines how tetracycline antibiotic resistance genes spread through soil and into plants, with microplastics identified as one of the factors that accelerate this process. Resistance genes can transfer from soil bacteria into plant tissues through root absorption, ultimately accumulating in edible parts like leaves and fruits. This means microplastic-contaminated agricultural soil could help spread antibiotic resistance to humans through the food they eat.
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.
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.
Antibiotic sorption onto MPs in terrestrial environment: a critical review of the transport, bioaccumulation, ecotoxicological effects and prospects
This review examines how microplastics in soil absorb and transport antibiotics, creating complex pollutants that can spread antibiotic resistance genes through the environment. When antibiotic-carrying microplastics are taken up by plants or soil organisms, the resistance genes can eventually reach humans through the food chain. The authors highlight the need for better strategies to reduce microplastic contamination in soil to help slow the growing crisis of antibiotic resistance.
Fate and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in facility vegetable soil
This study found that microplastics in vegetable farm soils serve as hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), potentially amplifying the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in agricultural environments. The co-presence of microplastics and ARGs in food-producing soils raises concerns about pathways for resistance genes to enter the food chain.
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.
An Overview of Antibiotic Resistance and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Antimicrobial Resistance in Agricultural Soils
This systematic review found that soil contaminants from organic and chemical fertilizers, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and untreated sewage sludge significantly promote antimicrobial resistance by increasing the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in agricultural soils. Abiotic stresses like salinity and drought further amplify this effect. The findings connect to microplastic research because microplastics have been shown to serve as vectors for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in soil environments.
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.
Nanoplastics promote the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and diversify their bacterial hosts in soil
Nanoplastics in soil were found to promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes far more than larger microplastics, even at very low concentrations. The nanoplastics changed which bacteria carried resistance genes and enabled some bacteria to develop resistance to multiple antibiotics simultaneously. This is a significant concern for human health because nanoplastics in agricultural soil could accelerate the spread of drug-resistant bacteria that make infections harder to treat.
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.
Size-specific effects of polyethylene microplastics (100–10,000 nm) on the soil resistome and pathogens revealed via metagenomics and machine learning
Researchers incubated polyethylene microplastics of three different sizes in antibiotic-resistant soils and found that smaller particles had the strongest effect on spreading antibiotic resistance genes and increasing pathogen abundance. The microplastics altered soil chemistry, reduced beneficial enzyme activity, and promoted the growth of potentially harmful bacteria while decreasing beneficial species. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution in soils may worsen the spread of antibiotic resistance, with particle size playing a key role.
Distribution and major driving elements of antibiotic resistance genes in the soil-vegetable system under microplastic stress
Researchers investigated how microplastic contamination in agricultural soil affects the distribution and spread of antibiotic resistance genes through the soil-vegetable system. The study found that microplastic treatment promoted the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements in lettuce tissues, with higher polyethylene concentrations driving the spread of sulfonamide resistance genes from roots to leaves, suggesting microplastics may facilitate antibiotic resistance entering the food chain.
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.
Microplastics reduced the natural attenuation of antibiotic resistance genes in fertilized soils
This study found that microplastics in fertilized farm soil slowed down the natural breakdown of antibiotic resistance genes, meaning these dangerous genes persisted longer in the environment. The microplastics altered soil bacterial communities and promoted the survival of potentially harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella that carry resistance genes. This raises concerns that agricultural plastic pollution could contribute to the growing global problem of antibiotic resistance.
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.
Microbial Bioindicators for Monitoring the Impact of Emerging Contaminants on Soil Health in the European Framework
This study analyzed soil samples from across EU countries to investigate how microplastics may help spread antibiotic resistance. Researchers found that bacterial communities on microplastic surfaces can harbor antibiotic resistance genes, and the plastisphere environment facilitates the transfer of these genes between microbes. The findings suggest microplastics in soil could serve as hotspots for antibiotic resistance, posing potential risks to human health.
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.
Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Animal Manure – Consequences of Its Application in Agriculture
This review examines how antibiotic resistance genes spread from animal manure used as fertilizer into agricultural soil and food crops. The widespread use of antibiotics in livestock creates resistant bacteria that survive in manure and can transfer their resistance to soil microbes and eventually to pathogens that affect humans. While focused on antibiotics rather than microplastics, this is relevant because microplastics in soil can also carry and spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria, compounding the risk to human health.
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.
Effects of microplastic degradability and concentrations on antibiotic resistance genes between soil and phyllosphere
Researchers investigated how biodegradable polyglycolic acid and non-degradable high-density polyethylene microplastics at varying concentrations affected antibiotic resistance gene distribution and transfer between soil and phyllosphere in a greenhouse germination experiment. They found that biodegradable microplastics had a more pronounced effect on antibiotic resistance gene abundance in the phyllosphere, while soil antibiotic resistance genes were jointly regulated by both microplastic type and concentration.