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Plastic-associated pathogens in marine environments: a meta-analysis.

Jeanne Naudet1, Emmanuelle Roque d'Orbcastel2, Thierry Bouvier3

  • 1UMR MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France.

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Plastic debris in marine environments harbors specific bacterial communities, including potential human pathogenic bacteria (PHPB). While not more abundant than on other substrates, plastics pose a higher risk due to their persistence and ubiquity.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Marine microbiology
  • Environmental science
  • Bacterial ecology

Background:

  • Marine plastic pollution is a growing global concern.
  • Understanding bacterial biofilms on plastic debris (plastisphere) is crucial for assessing health risks.
  • Potential human pathogenic bacteria (PHPB) on plastics require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze bacterial communities on marine plastics using meta-analysis.
  • To compare PHPB on plastics with other marine substrates.
  • To identify sources of PHPB colonizing plastic debris.

Main Methods:

  • Meta-analysis of 16S rRNA metabarcoding data from 52 studies up to 2024.
  • Comparison of bacteriomes between plastic and non-plastic marine substrates.
  • Quantification of PHPB signatures, including Vibrionaceae and Vibrio alginolyticus.

Main Results:

  • Plastisphere bacterial communities were not significantly more abundant or diverse than those on other substrates.
  • A distinct PHPB signature, including Vibrionaceae (4% of plastisphere), was identified on plastics.
  • Shell and wood were identified as potential sources of PHPB for plastics.

Conclusions:

  • Both plastics and other marine substrates act as reservoirs for PHPB.
  • Plastics harbor specific PHPB communities, increasing their risk as fomites.
  • The ubiquity and persistence of plastics amplify their role in marine PHPB dissemination.