Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains Recovered from Selected Aquatic Resources in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and Its Significance to Public Health

Researchers recovered pathogenic Escherichia coli strains from aquatic environments in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, finding evidence of antimicrobial resistance genes and highlighting the public health significance of waterway contamination as a pathway for resistance proliferation.

2018 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistance in Lotic Ecosystems

This review examines the occurrence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in lotic (flowing water) ecosystems, analyzing how rivers and streams serve as reservoirs and conduits for the environmental dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Researchers synthesized evidence showing that agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, and hospital effluents are major contributors to resistance gene loads in freshwater systems.

2022 THE SCIENTIFIC TEMPER 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparison of Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli Populations from Water or Sediment in Rivers Environments

This study compared antibiotic-resistant E. coli in river water and sediment, examining how bacteria form biofilms and stabilize resistance in these environments. Microplastics in aquatic environments are known to promote biofilm formation and concentrate antibiotic resistance genes, amplifying this public health concern.

2023 Preprints.org 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Antibiotic resistance profiles of Escherichia coli isolated from the floating islands and water of Çat Dam Lake, Adiyaman, Turkey

Antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria were isolated from water samples and floating islands in a Turkish dam lake, with resistance profiles linked to agricultural runoff and human waste inputs. This is relevant to microplastic research because plastic surfaces in water environments are known to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes.

2023 Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Article Tier 2

Emerging Issues on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Colonizing Plastic Waste in Aquatic Ecosystems

Researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria colonizing plastic waste submerged in an inland water body, including species related to human pathogens like Klebsiella. All isolated bacteria showed high resistance to multiple antibiotics, and they carried numerous antibiotic resistance genes. This is concerning because plastic waste in waterways can serve as a platform for drug-resistant bacteria to multiply and potentially spread to humans through contaminated water.

2024 Antibiotics 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of wastewater treatment plant effluent discharge on the antibiotic resistome in downstream aquatic environments: a mini review

This review summarizes how wastewater treatment plants release antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes into rivers and lakes through their treated water. Current treatment processes cannot fully remove these resistance factors, allowing them to spread in downstream water bodies and potentially reach humans through drinking water and the food chain. The review is relevant to microplastics research because microplastics in wastewater can serve as surfaces where resistant bacteria grow and spread.

2023 Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Strategy to Combat Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria and Genes in Wastewater in Developing Countries

This review highlights strategies to reduce antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes in wastewater in developing countries, emphasizing the need for improved treatment infrastructure, reduced antibiotic releases into the environment, and ongoing monitoring to protect public health.

2023 Preprints.org 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparison of the Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli Populations from Water and Biofilm in River Environments

Researchers compared antibiotic resistance in E. coli populations from river water versus sediment and biofilm samples at locations upstream and downstream of urban areas in Austria. They found that biofilm and sediment environments harbored bacteria with higher rates of antibiotic resistance compared to the water column. The study suggests that river biofilms may serve as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with implications for how pollutants including microplastics interact with microbial communities.

2024 Pathogens 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Contribution of microplastic particles to the spread of resistances and pathogenic bacteria in treated wastewaters

Researchers studied microplastic particles collected from treated wastewater effluents and found that MPs harbored significantly higher loads of antibiotic resistance genes and pathogenic bacteria compared to surrounding water, suggesting MPs facilitate their environmental spread.

2021 Water Research 140 citations
Article Tier 2

Evolution and Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance in Given Ecosystems: Possible Strategies for Addressing the Challenge of Antibiotic Resistance

This review traces the history of antibiotic resistance and examines how it evolves and spreads across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Researchers discuss the ecological roles of antibiotics and the modern tools used to identify resistant organisms in various environments. The study highlights the ecotoxicological impact of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and explores potential strategies, including environmental monitoring, to address this growing public health challenge.

2022 Antibiotics 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Modeling Antimicrobial Resistance Spread in Riverine Ecosystems: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Researchers developed a multidisciplinary modeling framework to simulate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) spread in riverine ecosystems, incorporating wastewater discharge, agricultural runoff, and microplastic-associated resistance gene transfer. The model predicted AMR gene concentrations along river corridors and identified intervention points for reducing environmental AMR dissemination.

2025 International Journal of Emerging Research in Science Engineering and Management
Article Tier 2

Antibiotic and Non-Antibiotic Determinants of Antimicrobial Resistance: Insights from Water Ecosystems

This review explains how non-antibiotic pollutants like heavy metals, biocides, and microplastics are contributing to antibiotic resistance in water systems, beyond the well-known problem of antibiotic overuse. Wastewater treatment plants are hotspots where these pollutants interact with bacteria, promoting the spread of resistance genes through mobile genetic elements. The findings are concerning for human health because drug-resistant bacteria from water environments can ultimately reach people through drinking water and food.

2024 ACS ES&T Water 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Dissemination Of Antibiotic Resistance Via Wastewater And Surface Water

This review examined how antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread through wastewater and surface water, noting that microplastics in wastewater can carry resistant bacteria into the environment. Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health crisis, and plastic pollution is one pathway accelerating its spread in waterways.

2021 Research Repository (Delft University of Technology)
Article Tier 2

Correlation appraisal of antibiotic resistance with fecal, metal and microplastic contamination in a tropical Indian river, lakes and sewage

Researchers sampled water from Indian urban rivers, lakes, and sewage plants and found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria correlated with fecal contamination and microplastic presence, especially for certain antibiotics, while fluoroquinolone resistance appeared more linked to seasonal temperature. The study suggests microplastics may help spread antibiotic resistance in urban waterways, adding a new dimension to concerns about plastic pollution.

2020 npj Clean Water 125 citations
Article Tier 2

On the Generation, Impact and Removal of Antibiotic Resistance in the Water Environment

This review explains how antibiotic resistance develops and spreads through water environments — including rivers, groundwater, and wastewater. The findings are relevant to microplastics because plastic particles in water are known to accumulate antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially accelerating the spread of drug resistance through aquatic systems.

2023 BIO Web of Conferences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Pathogenic Bacteria In Aquatic Ecosystems: Threats And Mitigation Approaches

This review examined pathogenic bacteria in aquatic ecosystems — including cholera, dysentery, and typhoid pathogens — and assessed the threats they pose to public health globally, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation, alongside potential mitigation strategies.

2023 Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences
Article Tier 2

Plastics as vectors for pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic systems.

This review examined how plastics in aquatic systems act as vectors for pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes, summarizing attachment mechanisms, transport dynamics, and the implications for water quality and public health.

2026 Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research
Article Tier 2

Evaluating the role of microplastics and wastewater in shaping Vibrio spp. and antibiotic resistance gene abundance in urban freshwaters

Researchers sampled water and microplastic biofilms from urban South African rivers and found that microplastics disproportionately enriched Vibrio spp. and tetracycline resistance genes relative to the surrounding water, suggesting microplastics selectively concentrate pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes.

2025 Scientific Reports
Article Tier 2

A Review of the Dissemination of Antibiotic Resistance through Wastewater Treatment Plants: Current Situation in Sri Lanka and Future Perspectives

This review examines how wastewater treatment plants contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment, with a focus on the situation in Sri Lanka. Researchers found that conventional treatment processes often fail to fully eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes from effluent. The study calls for upgraded treatment technologies and better monitoring to address this growing public health concern.

2024 Life 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Bacterial Isolates Associated with Microplastics and their Resistance to Antibiotics from Rivers Ureje, Emirin, Ogbese, Odo-Ayo and Elemi in Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti- State, Nigeria

Researchers isolated bacteria from five rivers in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria associated with microplastic surfaces and tested their antibiotic resistance profiles, finding that microplastics harbored pathogenic bacteria including E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella typhi with multi-drug resistance patterns.

2025 Journal of applied science and environmental management
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of toxic metals and their selective pressure for antibiotic-resistant clinically relevant bacteria and antibiotic-resistant genes in river receiving systems under tropical conditions

Researchers sampled rivers in the Democratic Republic of Congo receiving hospital wastewater and found high levels of heavy metals, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and antibiotic-resistance genes in sediments, with several toxic metals strongly correlated with the persistence of drug-resistant microbes — highlighting the need for better urban wastewater management in tropical developing countries.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Emerging Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Aquatic Ecosystems: a Review

A review of 30 studies found antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) widely distributed across aquatic ecosystems — in surface water, groundwater, wastewater, and notably on plastic and microplastic debris in these environments. Microplastics appear to provide favorable surfaces for the growth and exchange of resistant bacteria, making plastic pollution a potential vector for spreading antibiotic resistance. The findings highlight an understudied intersection between microplastic contamination and the global antibiotic resistance crisis.

2023 Borneo AKademika
Article Tier 2

Seasonality impels the antibiotic resistance in Kelani River of the emerging economy of Sri Lanka

A study of the Kelani River in Sri Lanka found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria were more prevalent during dry seasons, when lower water flow concentrates pollutants. Microplastics in rivers can carry antibiotic resistance genes and resistant bacteria, worsening the public health threat from contaminated water.

2020 npj Clean Water 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Saigon River Impacted by Anthropogenic Activities

Antibiotic resistance genes were detected at high levels in the Saigon River in Vietnam, linked to heavy contamination from antibiotics, heavy metals, and organic waste. Microplastics in such rivers can carry and spread drug-resistant bacteria, compounding risks to human health from contaminated water.

2021 Water 17 citations