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Microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes as rising threats: Their interaction represents an urgent environmental concern

Summary

Tiny plastic particles called microplastics are spreading through our environment and creating a dangerous partnership with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When these plastics accumulate in soil, water, and even food, they carry bacteria with genes that resist antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. This combined threat to human health can spread through wind, water, and the food chain, requiring urgent action to reduce plastic pollution and antibiotic overuse.

Background

Microplastics (MPs) are persistent environmental contaminants found across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric ecosystems. When MPs interact with antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), they create combined pollution that poses significant threats to organisms and human health through bioaccumulation and food chain transmission.

Objective

This review explores the interactions between microplastics, antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance genes, examining the mechanisms driving ARG dissemination on MPs and offering strategies to mitigate environmental and public health risks from MP-associated ARG transmission.

Results

The review identifies that MPs accumulate antibiotics and ARGs through chemical interactions (hydrophobic, electrostatic, π-π bonding) and serve as vectors for ARGs via biofilm formation on their surfaces. MPs facilitate horizontal and vertical gene transfer among bacterial communities, with biofilms on MPs creating unique niches that enhance ARG persistence and spread.

Conclusion

Integrated pollution control strategies including reduced antibiotic use, improved waste treatment, advanced monitoring techniques, and stricter regulatory policies are essential to mitigate the combined environmental and public health risks posed by microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes.
  • Published in:Current Research in Microbial Science,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 40756460
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