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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Association between microplastic exposure and macrolide resistance in mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia among younger children: A cross-sectional study in China
ClearMicroplastics exposed by respiratory tract and exacerbation of community-acquired pneumonia: The potential influences of respiratory microbiota and inflammatory factors
Researchers found that microplastics were present in the lungs of pneumonia patients, and that patients with severe pneumonia had higher levels of microplastics in their airways than those with milder cases. The microplastics appeared to worsen lung infections by disrupting the balance of airway bacteria and increasing inflammation. This study provides early evidence that inhaled microplastics may make respiratory infections more dangerous in humans.
Microplastic-associated gut microbial profile and antibiotic resistance in preschool children: a multicentre cross-sectional study in China
In a multicentre study of 335 preschool children across three Chinese cities, researchers detected eight types of microplastics in fecal samples at a median concentration of 212.1 micrograms per gram. The study found that microplastic exposure was associated with changes in gut microbiota composition and function, including metabolic pathways related to macronutrients and vitamins, as well as a relationship with antibiotic resistance gene abundance.
Microplastics in the Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Chinese Children: Associations with Age, City Development, and Disease Features
Microplastics were detected in nearly 90% of lung fluid samples from Chinese children with respiratory diseases, with an average of about 4 particles per 10 milliliters. Younger children and those living in more developed urban areas had higher levels, likely due to more indoor crawling behavior and greater surrounding plastic use. This is significant because it confirms that children are inhaling microplastics into their lungs, and younger children may be especially vulnerable.
Microplastic exposure in the lungs of young children and its associations with allergic rhinitis: A cross-sectional study in China
Researchers measured microplastics in lung fluid collected from 207 children in China and found that higher concentrations of certain plastics, particularly polyamide 66, were associated with increased rates of allergic rhinitis. The association was strongest in children aged six and under. The study suggests that microplastic exposure in young lungs may be linked to a higher risk of allergic respiratory conditions in early childhood.
Bacterial Community under the Influence of Microplastics in Indoor Environment and the Health Hazards Associated with Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Researchers investigated how microplastics in indoor dust influence bacterial communities and antibiotic resistance genes. They found significant correlations between microplastic abundance and both bacterial community composition and the relative abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in dust samples. Notably, biodegradable plastics like polylactic acid harbored particularly high levels of antibiotic resistance genes, suggesting that indoor microplastics may serve as overlooked reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance.
Insights into PET-Microplastics effect on pathogenic bacteria
Researchers exposed four common disease-causing bacteria to PET microplastics and found that the bacteria responded differently depending on the species and plastic concentration, with some growing faster in the presence of plastics. Notably, bacteria exposed to higher concentrations of PET microplastics developed increased resistance to multiple antibiotics, raising concerns about how environmental plastic pollution could contribute to the growing antibiotic resistance problem.
Effect of selected microplastics on the development and spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) can help dangerous bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. The smaller plastic pieces were especially good at helping bacteria develop this resistance, and bacteria also formed protective films on the plastic surfaces. This matters because microplastics are everywhere in our environment and food, potentially making antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" more common and threatening our ability to fight bacterial infections.
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.
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 in fresh- and wastewater are potential contributors to antibiotic resistance - A minireview
Researchers reviewed the link between microplastic pollution and the spread of antibiotic resistance in freshwater environments, finding that microplastic surfaces host unique bacterial communities enriched in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the resistance genes they can share with other microbes. The close packing of bacteria in these plastic-surface biofilms may accelerate the spread of drug-resistant pathogens through drinking water sources, though the full health implications remain poorly understood.
Unraveling the role of microplastics in antibiotic resistance: Insights from long-read metagenomics on ARG mobility and host dynamics
Researchers used long-read metagenomics to investigate how microplastics serve as vectors for antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environments. They found that plasmid-encoded resistance genes varied significantly between microplastic biofilms and surrounding water, highlighting horizontal gene transfer as a key mechanism for resistance gene enrichment on plastic surfaces. The study identified specific bacterial taxa driving this enrichment and revealed that enhanced cell adhesion and transporter activity on microplastics facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Growth and prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in microplastic biofilm from wastewater treatment plant effluents
Researchers studied antibiotic-resistant bacteria growing in biofilms on microplastic surfaces in wastewater treatment plant effluent. The study found that microplastic biofilms accumulated antibiotic-resistant bacteria including Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, and Bacillus, and that these biofilms harbored higher concentrations of resistance genes compared to surrounding water, suggesting microplastics may serve as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance.
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.
Single and combined effects of antibiotics and nanoplastics from surgical masks and plastic bottles on pathogens
Researchers examined the combined effects of nanoplastics from surgical masks and plastic bottles with antibiotics on pathogens, finding that co-exposure created synergistic toxic effects and altered antimicrobial resistance patterns in bacteria.
A review on the effect of micro- and nano-plastics pollution on the emergence of antimicrobial resistance
This review highlights how microplastics serve as breeding grounds for antimicrobial resistance genes, examining the overlooked interaction between plastic pollution and antibiotic resistance that poses combined threats to environmental and human health.
The occurrence of microplastic in specific organs in commercially caught fishes from coast and estuary area of east China
Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics interact with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in aquatic environments and found that the plastic particles can absorb and concentrate the drug on their surface. The adsorption capacity increased with weathering of the plastic, suggesting that aged microplastics in the environment are more effective carriers of pharmaceutical pollutants. The findings raise concerns that microplastics could transport antibiotics through water systems, potentially contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
The Microplastic-Antibiotic Resistance Connection
This review examined the link between microplastic pollution and antibiotic resistance, finding that microplastic surfaces in the environment selectively enrich antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes, creating hotspots that may amplify the spread of resistance far beyond clinical settings.
Distinct profile of bacterial community and antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in Ganjiang River at the watershed level
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution and associated bacterial communities, human pathogenic bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes across the Ganjiang River watershed. They found microplastics were widely distributed with an average of 407 particles per cubic meter, and that microplastic surfaces harbored significantly higher bacterial diversity and more antibiotic resistance genes than surrounding water or sediment.
Effects of microplastic concentration, composition, and size on Escherichia coli biofilm-associated antimicrobial resistance
This study examined how different types of microplastics affect the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria through biofilm formation. The researchers found that the concentration, composition, and size of microplastic particles all influence how effectively bacteria like E. coli develop drug resistance. These findings are important because they help explain how widespread plastic pollution may be contributing to the growing global crisis of antibiotic resistance.
Co-occurence of antibiotics and micro(nano)plastics: a systematic review between 2016-2021
This systematic review examines how microplastics and antibiotics interact in the environment. It finds that microplastics can absorb and carry antibiotics, potentially spreading antibiotic resistance and creating combined health risks that are greater than either pollutant alone.
How microplastics and nanoplastics shape antibiotic resistance?
This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics act as vectors for antibiotic resistance genes, facilitating their spread through environmental and biological systems by creating selective pressure and hosting microbial communities that exchange resistance determinants.
Determining the Contribution of Micro/Nanoplastics to Antimicrobial Resistance: Challenges and Perspectives
This review examines how microplastics in the environment serve as surfaces where antibiotic-resistant bacteria can grow and exchange resistance genes, potentially worsening the global antimicrobial resistance crisis. Researchers found that the unique surface properties of micro- and nanoplastics create favorable conditions for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among microorganisms. The study highlights that microplastic pollution and antibiotic resistance are interconnected environmental health challenges that may need to be addressed together.
Microplastics accumulate priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens: Evidence from the riverine plastisphere
Researchers placed microplastics in river water and found they accumulated more antibiotic-resistant bacteria than natural sand particles, including dangerous pathogens like E. coli and Klebsiella. Most of the bacteria isolated from the plastic surfaces were multi-drug resistant and carried virulence traits like biofilm formation. This suggests microplastics in waterways may act as rafts for spreading antibiotic resistance through the environment.
Combating antimicrobial resistance: the silent war
This review examines the growing global crisis of antimicrobial resistance, where bacteria become immune to antibiotics due to overuse in medicine and agriculture. Although focused on drug resistance, the paper is relevant to microplastic research because microplastics have been shown to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria and facilitate the transfer of resistance genes in the environment, potentially making this public health crisis worse.