We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Plastic Leachate Exposure Drives Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence in Marine Bacterial Communities
ClearPlastic leachate exposure drives antibiotic resistance and virulence in marine bacterial communities
This study found that chemicals leaching from plastic waste in seawater can promote antibiotic resistance and virulence in marine bacteria, even without direct contact with the plastic surface. Bacteria exposed to plastic leachate showed increased resistance to multiple antibiotics and enhanced ability to cause disease. The findings suggest that the chemical pollution from degrading plastics may pose broader risks to ocean ecosystems and potentially human health than previously recognized.
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.
Selective enrichment of antibiotic resistome and bacterial pathogens by aquatic microplastics
This review found that microplastics in aquatic environments selectively enrich antibiotic-resistant bacteria, resistance genes, and bacterial pathogens in their biofilms, making plastic debris a potential vector for spreading antimicrobial resistance.
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.
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.
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.
Antibiotic resistance in plastisphere
Researchers reviewed antibiotic resistance in the plastisphere — the microbial community colonizing plastic surfaces in aquatic environments — finding that plastic properties and aging influence the enrichment and horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes, and that aged microplastics pose elevated risks due to increased adsorption of resistant bacteria.
Bacterial biofilms colonizing plastics in estuarine waters, with an emphasis on Vibrio spp. and their antibacterial resistance
Scientists characterized bacterial biofilms colonizing plastic debris in estuarine waters, finding that plastics host distinct communities including Vibrio species with elevated antibiotic resistance compared to surrounding water.
(Nano)microplastics promote the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in landfill leachate
Researchers found that (nano)microplastics in municipal landfill leachate actively promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, highlighting landfill sites as dual reservoirs of plastic pollution and antimicrobial resistance threats.
Alteration of microbial mediated carbon cycle and antibiotic resistance genes during plastisphere formation in coastal area
Researchers investigated how microplastic surfaces in coastal environments develop biofilm communities, known as the plastisphere, and whether these biofilms enrich antibiotic resistance genes. The study found that incubation time, habitat type, and microplastic aging state all significantly influenced biofilm composition, and that aged microplastics accumulated more antibiotic resistance genes than new ones, suggesting microplastics may serve as vectors for spreading resistant bacteria.
Microplastics enrichment characteristics of antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens in landfill leachate
Researchers found that microplastics in landfill leachate serve as surfaces that selectively accumulate antibiotic resistance genes and disease-causing bacteria. Incubation experiments with PET and polypropylene particles showed that pathogens were more abundant on microplastic surfaces than in the surrounding leachate. The study raises concerns that microplastics in landfills may act as vehicles for spreading antibiotic resistance and pathogenic organisms in the environment.
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.
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.
Microplastics as a novel facilitator for antimicrobial resistance: Effects of concentration, composition, and size on Escherichia coli multidrug resistance
This study examined how microplastics facilitate antimicrobial resistance by acting as a surface for the co-selection of resistant bacteria, finding that plastic surfaces enrich resistance genes and transfer-capable elements in aquatic environments.
[Microplastic-Induced Alterations to Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Seawater].
Microplastics added to seawater were found to increase the diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) over a 49-day period, with different plastics having different effects. This suggests that microplastics in coastal waters may contribute to the spread of drug-resistant bacteria, posing a risk to public health.
Microplastics act as vectors for antibiotic resistance genes in landfill leachate: The enhanced roles of the long-term aging process
This study examined whether the aging of microplastics in aquatic environments influences their role as vectors for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Aged microplastics showed different ARG enrichment patterns on their surfaces compared to pristine particles, suggesting that weathering changes the capacity of plastic debris to accumulate and spread antibiotic resistance.
Marine Plastics from Norwegian West Coast Carry Potentially Virulent Fish Pathogens and Opportunistic Human Pathogens Harboring New Variants of Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Researchers isolated 37 bacterial strains from marine plastic polymers on Norway's west coast and used whole-genome sequencing to identify potential fish pathogens and opportunistic human pathogens carrying novel antibiotic resistance genes.
Bacterial dynamics of the plastisphere microbiome exposed to sub-lethal antibiotic pollution.
This study investigated how sub-lethal antibiotic concentrations in water interact with microplastic-associated biofilm communities (the plastisphere), finding that combined pollution alters bacterial dynamics and may contribute to antibiotic resistance selection in aquatic environments.
Responses of bacterial communities and resistance genes on microplastics to antibiotics and heavy metals in sewage environment
Polyvinyl chloride microplastics in sewage enriched pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes on their surfaces, and the presence of heavy metals and antibiotics altered but did not eliminate this enrichment over time. The findings suggest microplastics in wastewater environments could facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance through the microbial community.
Microplastics can selectively enrich intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistant genes and shape different microbial communities in aquatic systems
Researchers examined how microplastics of different types selectively capture antibiotic resistance genes and shape microbial communities in aquatic systems. They found that microplastics enriched both intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes, with the enrichment patterns varying by plastic type. The study suggests that microplastics may serve as hotspots for the spread of antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and natural water environments.
Microbial diversity and potential pathogens associated with the plastisphere on beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Researchers analyzed the microbes living on plastic debris collected from beaches in Rio de Janeiro, finding that both polypropylene and polyethylene plastics harbored communities containing potential human and marine pathogens as well as bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes. The study confirms that ocean plastics can transport dangerous microorganisms across long distances, posing risks to human health and marine biodiversity.
Microplastic aging mediates bacterial and antibiotic resistance gene composition in plastisphere and the associated soil solution
Researchers ran a microcosm experiment comparing how pristine versus aged microplastics influenced bacterial communities and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) composition in the plastisphere and surrounding soil solution. Aged MPs enriched distinct ARGs and microbial taxa compared to pristine MPs, suggesting MP weathering intensifies the spread of antibiotic resistance in soils.
Microplastics pollution in the ocean: Potential carrier of resistant bacteria and resistance genes
This review examined microplastics in marine environments as carriers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes, finding that plastic surfaces selectively enrich resistance genes through horizontal gene transfer and co-selection pressure, making ocean microplastics a vector for resistance dissemination across ecosystems.
The ecological security risks of phthalates: A focus on antibiotic resistance gene dissemination in aquatic environments
Researchers investigated whether phthalates, common plastic additives found in waterways, can promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria. They found that at low concentrations, dibutyl phthalate significantly increased the transfer of resistance genes by boosting bacterial membrane permeability and energy production. The study reveals a previously overlooked way that plastic-related chemicals could contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments.