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Updated: Aug 10, 2025
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Published on: June 9, 2014
Detection of Morganella morganii bound to a plastic substrate in surface water
Ifra Ferheen1, Roberto Spurio1, Laura Mancini2
1School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
Objectives:
Around the globe, escalation in rare opportunistic microbial infections is alarming as they are heading steadily towards 'superbug' status. In aquatic ecosystems, plastic fosters multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria and plays a significant role in trafficking antibiotic-resistant genes. In this study, we focused on a multidrug-resistant bacterial strain isolated from microbial communities found on plastic substrates of a volcanic lake in central Italy.
Methods:
Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing strains were isolated from both raw water and plastic substrates for a comparative investigation using microbiological and molecular methods, and antibiotic susceptibility profiling was performed against a panel of ten antibiotics.
Results:
Molecular identification and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis confirmed an almost identical sequencing pattern of two isolated strains and their homology with Morganella morganii. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed their resistance to almost all tested antibiotics. Class 1 integron-associated gene (intI1) and seven antibiotic resistance genes were detected in both strains, confirming their superbug status.
Conclusion:
To our knowledge, this is the first study on the characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing M. morganii isolated from the biofilm of plastic substrates, depicting the potential toxicity of plastic in harbouring and dispersing virulent, multidrug-resistant, opportunistic human pathogens.
Insights
Plastic debris in aquatic environments harbors dangerous multidrug-resistant bacteria, contributing to the rise of superbugs. This study identified extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Morganella morganii on plastic in an Italian volcanic lake, highlighting plastic
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Bacterial pathogenesis
Background:
- Increasing prevalence of opportunistic microbial infections globally, approaching 'superbug' status.
- Aquatic ecosystems serve as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes, facilitated by plastic pollution.
- Focus on identifying and characterizing such bacteria from plastic substrates in volcanic lakes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacterial strains from plastic substrates in a volcanic lake.
- To investigate the antibiotic resistance profiles and genetic basis of resistance in these strains.
- To assess the role of plastic in harboring and potentially disseminating virulent, multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of ESBL-producing strains from raw water and plastic biofilms.
- Comparative analysis using microbiological and molecular techniques.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing against ten antibiotics.
- Molecular identification via sequencing and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis.
- Detection of integron-associated genes (intI1) and antibiotic resistance genes.
Main Results:
- Two isolated strains showed high homology with Morganella morganii.
- Both strains exhibited resistance to nearly all tested antibiotics, confirming multidrug resistance.
- Detection of class 1 integron-associated gene (intI1) and seven other antibiotic resistance genes.
- Confirmation of 'superbug' status due to extensive antibiotic resistance.
Conclusions:
- First characterization of ESBL-producing M. morganii from plastic biofilms in a volcanic lake.
- Demonstrates plastic's significant role in harboring and dispersing opportunistic human pathogens.
- Highlights the potential environmental toxicity of plastic in contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
