Microplastics mediated antibiotic resistance gene enrichment and transfer in environment: Different types,...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Microbiology
• Environmental Chemistry

Background:

• Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) represent significant and growing environmental concerns.
• Understanding the interaction between MPs and ARGs is crucial for assessing their combined ecological impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the interaction between microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes.
• To introduce and analyze the concept of microplastic antibiotic resistance gene ecological islands (MPs-ARGs-EI).
• To explore the synergistic effects, molecular mechanisms, and potential control strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on microplastic-ARGs interactions.
• Analysis of the role of different microplastic types (biodegradable, aged, micro-scale, nanoplastics).
• Examination of molecular mechanisms, including mobile genetic elements (MGEs), carrier effects, and nanoplastic-induced cellular responses.

Main Results:

• Biodegradable and aged MPs alter surface properties, promoting ARGs adhesion and diffusion.
• Micro-scale MPs increase surface area, fostering microbial colonization and ARGs enrichment, forming MPs-ARGs-EI.
• MPs-ARGs-EI act as shelters and vectors, enhancing horizontal and vertical ARGs transfer.
• Nanoplastics (NPs) may facilitate ARGs transfer via ROS induction, DNA repair mechanisms, and altered cellular processes.

Conclusions:

• Microplastics significantly contribute to the accumulation and spread of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment.
• The MPs-ARGs-EI concept provides a framework for understanding synergistic effects and ARGs transfer.
• Further research and effective control strategies are needed to mitigate the combined threat of MPs and ARGs.