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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
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Techniques Used for Analyzing Microplastics, Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Community Composition: A
Simona Bartkova1, Anne Kahru2,3, Margit Heinlaan2
1Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|April 12, 2021
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat. Environmental pollutants like antibiotics, heavy metals, and microplastics may synergistically promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment, particularly within the plastisphere.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health challenge.
- Environmental pollutants such as antibiotics, heavy metals, and microplastics are increasingly recognized as potential drivers of AMR.
- The synergistic effects of these pollutants on the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current technologies for characterizing microplastic-associated ecosystems (plastisphere).
- To identify AMR-promoting elements within the plastisphere, including antibiotics, heavy metals, and microbial communities.
- To highlight emerging technologies for comprehensive, systems-level investigations of AMR in the plastisphere.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on technologies for characterizing microplastics and associated microbial communities.
- Analysis of studies investigating the co-occurrence and effects of antibiotics, heavy metals, and microplastics.
- Identification of current and emerging analytical techniques for environmental AMR research.
Main Results:
- The plastisphere serves as a potential reservoir and amplifier for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Co-occurrence of antibiotics, heavy metals, and microplastics can create synergistic conditions favoring AMR.
- Current technologies allow for characterization of individual components, but integrated approaches are needed.
Conclusions:
- The combined presence of antibiotics, heavy metals, and microplastics in the environment presents a complex challenge for AMR control.
- Advanced and integrated analytical technologies are crucial for understanding AMR dynamics within the plastisphere.
- Further research is needed to quantify the synergistic impact of these pollutants on environmental AMR and develop effective mitigation strategies.
