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Plastiome: Plastisphere-enriched mobile resistome in aquatic environments.
Keerthi S Guruge1, Prasun Goswami1, Kazuki Kanda1
1Hygiene Management Group, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|April 28, 2024
Summary
Aquatic microplastics (MPs) harbor microbial communities, creating a mobile resistome that promotes environmental antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study found significantly higher antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) on MPs than in surrounding water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Aquatic microplastics (MPs) serve as vectors for microbial communities.
- These communities can harbor a mobile resistome, including antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and biocide/metal resistance genes (BMRGs).
- This 'plastiome' may contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the composition and resistome of microbial communities on MPs in Japanese rivers.
- To compare the abundance and types of ARGs and BMRGs on MPs versus surrounding water.
- To understand the role of MPs in the coselection and propagation of AMR.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of waterborne MPs (polyethylene and polypropylene fibers/sheets) from two rivers near Tokyo.
- Metagenomic analysis of microbial communities and their associated genes on MPs and in water.
- Network analysis to identify associations between microbial genera, resistance genes, and mobile genetic elements.
Main Results:
- MPs were primarily composed of polyethylene and polypropylene fibers and sheets.
- Clinically relevant genera like Exiguobacterium and Eubacterium were enriched on MPs.
- ARGs were 3.46-fold higher on MPs than in water, with multidrug resistance genes (MDRGs) and BMRGs being prevalent.
- Specific ARGs/BMRGs conferring resistance to vancomycin, beta-lactams, biocides, arsenic, and mercury were selectively enriched on MPs.
- Intense associations between host genera, ARGs, BMRGs, and MGEs were observed on MPs, indicating coselection.
Conclusions:
- Aquatic MPs significantly enrich ARGs and BMRGs, contributing to the mobile plastiome.
- MPs facilitate coselection and potential propagation of AMR in aquatic ecosystems.
- Understanding the plastiome is crucial for addressing the global challenge of AMR within the One Health framework.
Keywords:
Antibiotic resistance gene (ARG)Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)Metal resistance gene (MRG)MicroplasticMobile genetic element (MGE)More Related Videos
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