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Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
Published on: October 31, 2019
Microplastics accumulation in mangroves increasing the resistance of its colonization Vibrio and Shewanella
Baoyi Tan1, Yibin Li2, Huifeng Xie2
1College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
Abstract:
The enrichment of various pollutants in mangrove has attracted widespread attention. Especially, microplastics accumulation in mangrove may provide a more challenging ecological colonization site by enriching pollutants, thus affecting the change of microplastics antibiotic resistance and increasing the risk of antibiotic failure. Herein, the antibiotic-resistant of microplastics and sediment from mangrove were investigated. The results show that isolates are mainly colonized by Vibrio parahemolyticus (V. parahemolyticus), Vibrio alginolyticus (V. alginolyticus), and Shewanella. 100% mangrove microplastics isolates are resistant to chloramphenicol, cefazolin, and tetracycline, especially amoxicillin clavulanate and ampicillin. Meanwhile, the multiple antibiotics resistance (MAR) indexes of V. parahaemolyticus, Shewanella, and V. alginolyticus in mangrove microplastics are 0.72, 0.77, and 0.77, respectively, which are far higher than the MAR index standard (0.2) and that of mangrove sediment isolates. Furthermore, compared with V. parahaemolyticus isolated from the same mangrove microplastics, Shewanella and V. alginolyticus show stronger drug resistance. It should be noted that there is a closely related relationship between the type of microplastics and the antibiotics resistance of isolated bacteria. For the antibiotics sensitivity test of norfloxacin, streptomycin, amoxicillin, and chloramphenicol, V. parahaemolyticus have the lower antibiotics resistance than that of V. alginolyticus isolated from the same mangrove microplastics. However, Vibrio isolated from PE has stronger antibiotics resistance. Results reveal that mangrove may be one of the potential risks for emergence and spread of bacterial antibiotics-resistant and multidrug-resistant, and microplastic biofilms may act as promoters of bacterial antibiotic resistance.
Insights
Mangrove microplastics harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a significant risk for the spread of multidrug resistance. These microplastic biofilms promote bacterial antibiotic resistance, highlighting a critical environmental concern.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Pollutant enrichment in mangroves raises ecological concerns.
- Microplastic accumulation in mangroves may exacerbate antibiotic resistance.
- Understanding microplastic-associated antibiotic resistance is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate antibiotic resistance in bacteria colonizing mangrove microplastics and sediments.
- To compare the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indexes between microplastic and sediment isolates.
- To explore the relationship between microplastic types and bacterial antibiotic resistance.
Main Methods:
- Collected microplastics and sediment from mangrove environments.
- Isolated and identified dominant bacterial species, including Vibrio species and Shewanella.
- Performed antibiotic sensitivity testing and calculated MAR indexes for bacterial isolates.
Main Results:
- Microplastic isolates showed 100% resistance to several antibiotics, including chloramphenicol, cefazolin, and tetracycline.
- MAR indexes for Vibrio parahemolyticus, Shewanella, and Vibrio alginolyticus from microplastics were significantly higher than the standard and sediment isolates.
- Bacterial resistance varied with microplastic type, with Vibrio from polyethylene (PE) exhibiting stronger resistance.
Conclusions:
- Mangrove microplastics serve as a reservoir and potential spreader of antibiotic-resistant and multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- Microplastic biofilms act as promoters for bacterial antibiotic resistance.
- Mangrove ecosystems represent a potential risk for the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
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