Microplastic biofilms promote the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in estuarine environments. - Related Documents




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749701.0000Microplastic biofilms promote the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in estuarine environments. As emerging pollutants, microplastics can aggregate microorganisms on their surfaces and form biofilms, enriching antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Consequently, microplastic biofilms have become a focal point of research. Horizontal gene transfer is one of the primary mechanisms by which bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance, with much of the research focusing on suspended bacteria. However, microplastic biofilms, as hotspots for horizontal gene transfer, also merit significant investigation. This study primarily explored and compared the frequency of ARG conjugative transfer between suspended bacteria and microplastic biofilms. The results demonstrated that, compared to suspended bacteria, microplastic biofilms enhanced the frequency of ARG conjugative transfer by 7.2-19.6 times. Among them, biofilms on polyethylene microplastics showed the strongest promotion of conjugation. After the formation of microplastic biofilms, there was a significant increase in bacterial density within the biofilms, which raised the collision frequency of donor and recipient bacteria. Then microplastic biofilms facilitated the gene expression levels of outer membrane proteins, enhanced bacterial gene transfer capabilities, promoted the synthesis of conjugative pili, accelerated the formation of conjugative pairing systems, and elevated the expression levels of genes related to DNA replication and transfer systems, thereby enhancing the conjugative transfer of ARGs within microplastic biofilms. Among different types of microplastic biofilms, polyethylene biofilms exhibited the highest bacterial density, thus showing the highest frequency of ARG conjugation. This study highlights the risks associated with ARG conjugative transfer following the formation of microplastic biofilms and provides insights into the risks of microplastic and antibiotic resistance propagation in estuarine environments.202439368156
750310.9999Microplastics exhibit accumulation and horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes. Although the fates of microplastics (0.1-5 mm) in marine environments and freshwater are increasingly studied, little is known about their vector effect in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Previous studies have evaluated the accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) on microplastics, but there is no direct evidence for the selection and horizontal transfer of ARGs on different microplastics in WWTPs. Here, we show biofilm formation as well as bacterial community and ARGs in these biofilms grown on four kinds of microplastics via incubation in the aerobic and anaerobic tanks of a WWTP. Microplastics showed differential capacities for bacteria and ARGs enrichment, differing from those of the culture environment. Furthermore, ARGs in microplastic biofilms were horizontally transferred at frequencies higher than those in water samples in both tanks. Therefore, microplastics in WWTPs can act as substrates for horizontal transfer of ARGs, potentially causing a great harm to the ecological environment and adversely affecting human health.202336921474
643320.9998Do microplastic biofilms promote the evolution and co-selection of antibiotic and metal resistance genes and their associations with bacterial communities under antibiotic and metal pressures? Microplastic (MP) biofilms with heterogeneous bacterial compositions and structure have become a hotspot of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments. The evolutionary features of ARGs and their related factors including class 1 integron (intI1), metal resistance genes (MRGs), and bacterial communities in MP biofilms under exogenous pressures and how they compared with natural substrates (NS) are unclear. The individual and combined pressures of sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and zinc were used to drive the dynamic evolution of ARGs, intI1, MRGs, and bacterial communities in the MP and NS biofilms. The exogenous pressures from the combined selection of sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and zinc and their increasing concentrations both significantly enhanced the abundances of ARGs on the MP compared to the NS. Meanwhile, the selective pressures resulted in obvious dissimilarities between the MP and NS bacterial communities. The core bacterial taxa and the co-occurrence patterns of ARGs and bacterial genera in the biofilms of MP and NS were obviously different, and more potential ARG host bacteria selectively colonized the MP. Metal pressure also enhanced the enrichment of ARGs in the MP biofilms by promoting the spread of intI1 via the co-selection mechanism.202234597934
750930.9998Assessing biofilm formation and resistance of vibrio parahaemolyticus on UV-aged microplastics in aquatic environments. UV degradation of marine microplastics (MPs) could increase their vector potential for pathogenic bacteria and threaten human health. However, little is known about how the degree of UV aging affects interactions between MPs and pathogens and how various types of MPs differ in their impact on seafood safety. This study investigated five types of UV-aged MPs and their impact on Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a seafood pathogen. MPs exposed to UV for 60 days showed similar physicochemical changes such as surface cracking and hydrophobicity reduction. Regardless of the type, longer UV exposure of MPs resulted in more biofilm formation on the surface under the same conditions. V. parahaemolyticus types that formed biofilms on the MP surface showed 1.4- to 5.0-fold upregulation of virulence-related genes compared to those that did not form biofilms, independently of UV exposure. However, longer UV exposure increased resistance of V. parahaemolyticus on MPs to chlorine, heat, and human gastrointestinal environment. This study implies that the more UV degradation occurs on MPs, the more microbial biofilm formation is induced, which can significantly increase virulence and environmental resistance of bacteria regardless of the type of MP.202438422694
749840.9998The resistance change and stress response mechanisms of chlorine-resistant bacteria under microplastic stress in drinking water distribution system. The presence of both chlorine-resistant bacteria (CRB) and microplastics (MPs) in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) poses a threat to water quality and human health. However, the risk of CRB bio evolution under the stress of MPs remains unclear. In this study, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were selected to study the adsorption and desorption behavior of sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and it was clear that MPs had the risk of carrying pollutants into DWDS and releasing them. The results of the antibiotic susceptibility test and disinfection experiment confirmed that MPs could enhance the resistance of CRB to antibiotics and disinfectants. Bacteria epigenetic resistance mechanisms were approached from multiple perspectives, including physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as molecular regulatory networks. When MPs enter DWDS, CRB could attach to the surface of MPs and directly interact with both MPs and the antibiotics they release. This attachment process promoted changes in the composition and content of extracellular polymers (EPS) within cells, enhanced surface hydrophobicity, stimulated oxidative stress function, and notably elevated the relative abundance of certain antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study elucidates the mechanism by which MPs alter the intrinsic properties of CRB, providing valuable insights into the effective avoidance of biological risks to water quality during CRB evolution.202438848962
749650.9998Effects of microplastics and tetracycline induced intestinal damage, intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, and antibiotic resistome: metagenomic analysis in young mice. Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic tetracycline (TC) are widespread in the environment and constitute emerging combined contaminants. Young individuals are particularly vulnerable to agents that disrupt intestinal health and development. However, the combined effects of MPs and TC remain poorly understood. In this study, we developed a young mouse model exposed to polystyrene MPs, either alone or in combination with TC for 8 weeks to simulate real-life dietary exposure during early life. Our findings revealed that concurrent exposure to MPs and TC caused the most severe intestinal barrier dysfunction driven by inflammatory activation and oxidative imbalance. Moreover, exposure to MPs and TC reduced the abundance of potential probiotics while promoting the growth of opportunistic pathogens. Metagenomic analysis further indicated that co-exposure to MPs and TC enhanced the abundance of bacteria carrying either antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) or virulence factor genes (VFGs), contributing to the widespread dissemination of potentially harmful genes. Finally, a strong positive correlation was observed between microbiota dysbiosis, ARGs, and VFGs. In general, this study highlighted the hazards of MPs and antibiotics to intestinal health in young mice, which provided a new perspective into the dynamics of pathogens, ARGs, and VFGs in early-life intestinal environments.202540328090
641260.9998Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance: The Magnitude of the Problem and the Emerging Role of Hospital Wastewater. The role of microplastics (MPs) in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is increasingly attracting global research attention due to their unique ecological and environmental effects. The ubiquitous use of plastics and their release into the environment by anthropic/industrial activities are the main sources for MP contamination, especially of water bodies. Because of their physical and chemical characteristics, MPs represent an ideal substrate for microbial colonization and formation of biofilm, where horizontal gene transfer is facilitated. In addition, the widespread and often injudicious use of antibiotics in various human activities leads to their release into the environment, mainly through wastewater. For these reasons, wastewater treatment plants, in particular hospital plants, are considered hotspots for the selection of ARGs and their diffusion in the environment. As a result, the interaction of MPs with drug-resistant bacteria and ARGs make them vectors for the transport and spread of ARGs and harmful microorganisms. Microplastic-associated antimicrobial resistance is an emerging threat to the environment and consequently for human health. More studies are required to better understand the interaction of these pollutants with the environment as well as to identify effective management systems to reduce the related risk.202337239594
643070.9998Plastic leachate exposure drives antibiotic resistance and virulence in marine bacterial communities. Plastic pollution is a serious global problem, with more than 12 million tonnes of plastic waste entering the oceans every year. Plastic debris can have considerable impacts on microbial community structure and functions in marine environments, and has been associated with an enrichment in pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. However, our understanding of these impacts is largely restricted to microbial assemblages on plastic surfaces. It is therefore unclear whether these effects are driven by the surface properties of plastics, providing an additional niche for certain microbes residing in biofilms, and/or chemicals leached from plastics, the effects of which could extend to surrounding planktonic bacteria. Here, we examine the effects of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic leachate exposure on the relative abundance of genes associated with bacterial pathogenicity and AMR within a seawater microcosm community. We show that PVC leachate, in the absence of plastic surfaces, drives an enrichment in AMR and virulence genes. In particular, leachate exposure significantly enriches AMR genes that confer multidrug, aminoglycoside and peptide antibiotic resistance. Additionally, enrichment of genes involved in the extracellular secretion of virulence proteins was observed among pathogens of marine organisms. This study provides the first evidence that chemicals leached from plastic particles alone can enrich genes related to microbial pathogenesis within a bacterial community, expanding our knowledge of the environmental impacts of plastic pollution with potential consequences for human and ecosystem health.202337019264
742280.9998Microplastic-Mediated Transfer of Tetracycline Resistance: Unveiling the Role of Mussels in Marine Ecosystems. The global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is exacerbated by the mobilization of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) occurring in different environmental niches, including seawater. Marine environments serve as reservoirs for resistant bacteria and ARGs, further complicated by the ubiquity of microplastics (MPs). MPs can adsorb pollutants and promote bacterial biofilm formation, creating conditions favorable to the dissemination of ARGs. This study explores the dynamics of ARG transfer in the marine bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis within a seawater model, focusing on the influence of polyethylene MPs on the mobilization of the Tn916-carrying tetM gene and plasmid-encoded ermB. Experiments revealed that biofilm formation on MPs by Enterococcus faecium and Listeria monocytogenes facilitated the transfer of the tetM resistance gene, but not the ermB gene. Furthermore, the presence of MPs significantly increased the conjugation frequency of tetM within mussels, indicating that MPs enhance the potential for ARG mobilization in marine environments. These findings highlight the role of MPs and marine organisms in ARG spread, underscoring the ecological and public health implications.202439200027
750490.9998Contribution of antibiotics to the fate of antibiotic resistance genes in anaerobic treatment processes of swine wastewater: A review. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in water environment have become a global health concern. Swine wastewater is widely considered to be one of the major contributors for promoting the proliferation of ARGs in water environments. This paper comprehensively reviews and discusses the occurrence and removal of ARGs in anaerobic treatment of swine wastewater, and contributions of antibiotics to the fate of ARGs. The results reveal that ARGs' removal is unstable during anaerobic processes, which negatively associated with the presence of antibiotics. The abundance of bacteria carrying ARGs increases with the addition of antibiotics and results in the spread of ARGs. The positive relationship was found between antibiotics and the abundance and transfer of ARGs in this review. However, it is necessary to understand the correlation among antibiotics, ARGs and microbial communities, and obtain more knowledge about controlling the dissemination of ARGs in the environment.202031917094
6413100.9998Interactions of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes and their effects on the aquaculture environments. Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have become the increasing attention and global research hotpots due to their unique ecological and environmental effects. As susceptible locations for MPs and ARGs, aquaculture environments play an important role in their enrichment and transformation. In this review, we focused on the MPs, ARGs, and the effects of their interactions on the aquaculture environments. The facts that antibiotics have been widely applied in different kinds of agricultural productions (e.g., aquaculture) and that most of antibiotics enter the water environment with rainfall and residual in the aquaculture environment have been resulting in the emergence of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB). Moreover, the water MPs are effective carriers of the environmental microbes and ARB, making them likely to be continuously imported into the aquaculture environments. As a result, the formation of the compound pollutions may also enter the aquatic organisms through the food chains and eventually enter the human body after a long-term enrichment. Furthermore, the compound pollutions result in the joint toxic effects on the human health and the ecological environment. In summary, this review aims to emphasize the ecological effects and the potential hazards on the aquaculture environments where interactions between MPs and ARGs results, and calls for to reduce the use of the plastic products and the antibiotics in the aquaculture environments.202133265004
7442110.9998Potential impacts of disinfection processes on elimination and deactivation of antibiotic resistance genes during water and wastewater treatment. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), in association with antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), have been identified as widespread contaminants of treated drinking waters and wastewaters. As a consequence, concerns have been raised that ARB or ARG transport between aquatic compartments may enhance the spread of antibiotic resistance amongst non-resistant bacterial communities by means of horizontal gene transfer processes. Most often, discussion of horizontal gene transfer focuses on the probable role of conjugative plasmid or transposon exchange, which requires live ARB donor cells. Conventional water and wastewater disinfection processes generally provide highly effective means for mitigating the transport of live ARB; thereby minimizing risks of conjugative gene transfer. However, even if ARB present in a treated water are fully inactivated during a disinfection process, the possibility remains that intact remnants of DNA contained within the resulting cell debris could still confer resistance genotypes to downstream bacterial populations by means of natural transformation and/or transduction, which do not require live donor cells. Thus, a systematic evaluation of the capability of common disinfection technologies to ensure the destruction of bacterial DNA, in addition to pathogen inactivation, seems warranted. With that objective in mind, this review seeks to provide a concise introduction to the significance of ARB and ARG occurrence in environmental systems, coupled with a review of the role that commonly used water and wastewater disinfection processes may play in minimizing ARG transport and dissemination.201222572858
6410120.9998Microplastics are a hotspot for antibiotic resistance genes: Progress and perspective. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microplastics in the environment are of great public concern due to their potential risk to human health. Microplastics can form distinct bacterial communities and absorb pollutants from the surrounding environment, which provide potential hosts and exert possible selection pressure of ARGs. We provide a practical evaluation of the scientific literature regarding this issue. The occurrence and transport of ARGs on microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, aquatic, terrestrial, and air environments were summarized. Selective enrichment of ARGs and antibiotic resistance bacteria on microplastics have been confirmed in different environments. Aggregates may be crucial to understand the behavior and transport of ARGs on microplastics, especially in the aquatic and terrestrial environment. Microplastics could be a carrier of ARGs between the environment and animals. Accumulation of pollutants and dense bacterial communities on microplastics provide favorable conditions for higher transfer rate and evolution of ARGs. More studies are still needed to understand the enrichment, transport, and transfer of ARGs on microplastics and provide a fundamental basis for evaluating their exposure health risk to humans.202133940744
9640130.9998Effects of microplastic concentration, composition, and size on Escherichia coli biofilm-associated antimicrobial resistance. Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a significant environmental pollutant with profound implications for public health, particularly as substrates to facilitate bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Recently, studies have shown that MPs may accommodate biofilm communities, chemical contaminants, and genetic material containing AMR genes. This study investigated the effects of MP concentration, composition, and size on the development of multidrug resistance in Escherichia coli. Specifically, we exposed E. coli to varying concentrations of different MP types, including polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene, across a range of sizes (3-10, 10-50, and 500 µm). Results indicated that the biofilm cells attached to MPs had elevated multidrug resistance (in E. coli. Notably, MPs exhibited a higher propensity for facilitating biofilm and resistance than control substrates such as glass, likely due to their hydrophobicity, greater adsorption capacities, and surface chemistries. Notably, we found that the bacteria passaged with MPs formed stronger biofilms once the MPs were removed, which was associated with changes in motility. Thus, MPs select cells that are better at forming biofilms, which can lead to biofilm-associated AMR and recalcitrant infections in the environment and healthcare setting. Our study highlights the importance of developing effective strategies to address the challenges posed by MPs. IMPORTANCE: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the world's most pressing global health crises. With the pipeline of antibiotics running dry, it is imperative that mitigation strategies understand the mechanisms that drive the genesis of AMR. One emerging dimension of AMR is the environment. This study highlights the relationship between a widespread environmental pollutant, microplastics (MPs), and the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. While it is known that MPs facilitate resistance through several modes (biofilm formation, plastic adsorption rates, etc.), this study fills the knowledge gap on how different types of MPs are contributing to AMR.202540067049
7508140.9998Residual chlorine persistently changes antibiotic resistance gene composition and increases the risk of antibiotic resistance in sewer systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, excessive amounts of disinfectants and their transformation products entered sewer systems worldwide, which was an extremely rare occurrence before. The stress of residual chlorine and disinfection by-products is not only likely to promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), but also leads to the enrichment of chlorine-resistant bacteria that may also be resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, the potential impact of such discharge on ARG composition should be studied and the health risks should be assessed. Thus, this study combined high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metagenomic analysis with long-term batch tests that involved two stages of stress and recovery to comprehensively evaluate the impact of residual chlorine on the microbial community and ARG compositions in sewer systems. The tests demonstrated that the disturbance of the microbial community structure by residual chlorine was reversible, but the change in ARG composition was persistent. This study found that vertical propagation and horizontal gene transfer jointly drove ARG composition succession in the biofilm, while the driving force was mainly horizontal gene transfer in the sediment. In this process, the biocide resistance gene (BRG) subtype chtR played an important role in promoting co-selection with ARGs through plasmids and integrative and conjugative elements. Moreover, it was further shown that the addition of sodium hypochlorite increased the risk of ARGs to human health, even after discontinuation of dosing, signifying that the impact was persistent. In general, this study strengthens the co-selection theory of ARGs and BRGs, and calls for improved disinfection strategies and more environmentally friendly disinfectants.202337738943
7505150.9998A Review on the Degradation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes During Composting of Livestock Manure. As emerging pollutants, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been recognized as originating from diverse sources. Among these, the use of livestock feed and veterinary drugs was identified as the primary source of ARGs in livestock manure. ARGs were found to be widely distributed in global environments, particularly in agriculture-related soils, water bodies, and the atmosphere, posing potential threats to ecological environments and human health. This paper reviewed the degradation mechanisms of ARGs during aerobic composting of livestock manure and the safety evaluation of compost products. Aerobic composting was demonstrated to be an effective method for degrading ARGs, primarily through mechanisms such as high-temperature elimination of ARG-carrying microorganisms, reduction in host bacterial abundance, and inhibition of horizontal gene transfer. Factors including the physicochemical properties of the composting substrate, the use of additives, and the presence of antibiotic and heavy metal residues were shown to influence the degradation efficiency of ARGs, with compost temperature being the core factor. The safety of organic fertilizers encompassed multiple aspects, including heavy metal content, seed germination index, and risk assessments based on ARG residues. The analysis indicated that deficiencies existed in areas such as the persistence of thermotolerant bacteria carrying ARGs, the dissemination of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs), and virus-mediated gene transfer. Future research should focus on (1) the removal of thermotolerant bacteria harboring ARGs; (2) the decomposition of eARGs or the blocking of their transmission pathways; (3) the optimization of ultra-high temperature composting parameters; and (4) the analysis of interactions between viruses and resistant hosts. This study reviews the mechanisms, influencing factors, and safety assessment of aerobic composting for degrading ARGs in livestock manure. It not only deepens the understanding of this important environmental biotechnology process but also provides a crucial knowledge base and practical guidance for effectively controlling ARG pollution, ensuring agricultural environmental safety, and protecting public health. Additionally, it clearly outlines the key paths for future technological optimization, thus holding significant implications for the environment, agriculture, and public health.202540863943
7031160.9998Free-living lifestyle preferences drive the antibiotic resistance promotion during drinking water chlorination. The risk associated with antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in size-fractionated bacterial community during drinking water chlorination remains unclear, and is of paramount importance for risk mitigation through process selection and optimization. This study employed metagenomic approaches to reveal the alterations of ARGs, their potential functions and hosts within the free-living and particle-associated fractions. The total relative abundance of ARGs, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and virulence factor genes (VFGs) significantly increased in the free-living fraction after chlorination. The contribution of the free-living fraction to the ARG relative abundance rose from 16.40 ± 1.31 % to 93.62 ± 0.47 % after chlorination. Multidrug resistance genes (e.g. mexF and mexW) were major contributors, and their co-occurrence with MGEs in the free-living fraction was enhanced after chlorination. Considering multiple perspectives, including presence, mobility, and pathogenicity, chlorination led to a significant risk of the antibiotic resistome in the free-living fraction. Moreover, potential functions of ARGs, such as cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis, defense mechanisms, and transcription in the free-living fraction, were intensified following chlorination. Potential pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, and Acinetobacter junii, were identified as the predominant hosts of multidrug resistance genes, with their increased abundances primarily contributing to the rise of the corresponding ARGs. Overall, alterations of hosts as well as enhancing mobility and biological functions could collectively aid the proliferation and spread of ARGs in the free-living fraction after chlorination. This study provides novel insights into antibiotic resistance evolution in size-fractionated bacteria community and offers a management strategy for microbiological safety in drinking water.202438043346
6483170.9998Soil Component: A Potential Factor Affecting the Occurrence and Spread of Antibiotic Resistance Genes. In recent years, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in soil have become research hotspots in the fields of public health and environmental ecosystems, but the effects of soil types and soil components on the occurrence and spread of ARGs still lack systematic sorting and in-depth research. Firstly, investigational information about ARB and ARGs contamination of soil was described. Then, existing laboratory studies about the influence of the soil component on ARGs were summarized in the following aspects: the influence of soil types on the occurrence of ARGs during natural or human activities and the control of exogenously added soil components on ARGs from the macro perspectives, the effects of soil components on the HGT of ARGs in a pure bacterial system from the micro perspectives. Following that, the similarities in pathways by which soil components affect HGT were identified, and the potential mechanisms were discussed from the perspectives of intracellular responses, plasmid activity, quorum sensing, etc. In the future, related research on multi-component systems, multi-omics methods, and microbial communities should be carried out in order to further our understanding of the occurrence and spread of ARGs in soil.202336830244
6414180.9998Microplastic biofilms in water treatment systems: Fate and risks of pathogenic bacteria, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes. Microplastics (MPs) biofilms in drinking water and wastewater treatment plants (DWTPs and WWTPs) have gained increasing attention due to their potential to come into close contact with humans. This review examines the fate of pathogenic bacteria, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in MP biofilms and their impacts on operations in DWTPs and WWTPs, as well as the associated microbial risks for ecology and human health. The literature shows that pathogenic bacteria, ARBs, and ARGs with high resistance can persist on MP surfaces and may escape treatment plants, contaminating drinking and receiving water. Nine potential pathogens, ARB, and ARGs can be retained in DWTPs and sixteen in WWTPs. While MP biofilms can improve the removal of MPs themselves, as well as the associated heavy metals and antibiotic compounds, they can also induce biofouling, hinder the effectiveness of chlorination and ozonation, and cause the formation of disinfection by-products. Furthermore, the operation-resistant pathogenic bacteria, ARB, and ARGs on MPs may have adverse impacts on receiving ecosystems, as well as human health, including a range of human diseases, from skin infections to pneumonia and meningitis. Given the significant implications of MP biofilms for aquatic ecosystems and human health, further research is necessary on the disinfection resistance of microbial populations in MP biofilm. This study provides valuable insights into the comprehensive understanding of the changes of MP biofilms in water and wastewater treatment systems as well as their impacts on ecology and human health.202337268132
6765190.9998Environmentally relevant concentrations of triclosan exposure promote the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes mediated by Edwardsiella piscicida. Aquaculture pathogen and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) co-occur in the aquatic environment. Accumulated evidence suggests that aquaculture pathogens can facilitate the horizontal transfer of plasmid-mediated ARGs. However, the role of Edwardsiella piscicida (E. piscicida) in ARG dissemination is still not fully understood. In addition, the potential impact of triclosan (TCS) on the spread of ARGs mediated by E. piscicida is still unknown, so a mating model system was established to investigate the transfer process of ARGs. The results showed that E. piscicida disseminated ARGs on RP4 by horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Furthermore, TCS exposure promoted this process. The conjugative transfer frequencies were enhanced approximately 1.2-1.4-fold by TCS at concentrations from 2 to 20 μg/L, when compared with the control. TCS promoted the HGT of ARGs by stimulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, increasing cell membrane permeability, and altering expressions of conjugative transfer-associated genes. Together, the results suggested that aquaculture pathogens spread ARGs and that the emerging contaminant TCS enhanced the transfer of ARGs between bacteria.202235474424