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642500.9950Freshwater plastisphere: a review on biodiversity, risks, and biodegradation potential with implications for the aquatic ecosystem health. The plastisphere, a unique microbial biofilm community colonizing plastic debris and microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments, has attracted increasing attention owing to its ecological and public health implications. This review consolidates current state of knowledge on freshwater plastisphere, focussing on its biodiversity, community assembly, and interactions with environmental factors. Current biomolecular approaches revealed a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa associated with plastic surfaces. Despite their ecological importance, the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria and mobile genetic elements (i.e., antibiotic resistance genes) raises concerns for ecosystem and human health. However, the extent of these risks and their implications remain unclear. Advanced sequencing technologies are promising for elucidating the functions of plastisphere, particularly in plastic biodegradation processes. Overall, this review emphasizes the need for comprehensive studies to understand plastisphere dynamics in freshwater and to support effective management strategies to mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on freshwater resources.202438699475
639710.9950Microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes as rising threats: Their interaction represents an urgent environmental concern. Microplastics (MPs) have been reported to be emerging contaminant of different environmental niches like air, soil, and water. When exposed to these environments, MPs interact with already existing antibiotics to create combined pollution that can harm organisms. MPs have garnered significant attention in academic circles due to their ability to adsorb antibiotics. This review article explores different dimensions of MPs, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and the interplay between MPs, antibiotics, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), emphasizing their interconnection with soil and water pollution. It also summarizes the mechanisms behind the interaction between antibiotics and MPs, detailing various physical and chemical interactions. Additionally, it outlines the pathways through which MPs and ARGs complexes spread, offering insights for future research and solutions to tackle compound pollution. The article concludes by providing targeted strategies to mitigate the environmental and public health risks posed by MP-associated ARG transmission, highlighting the need for integrated pollution control, advanced monitoring techniques, and stricter regulatory policies.202540756460
639620.9950Interaction between microplastic biofilm formation and antibiotics: Effect of microplastic biofilm and its driving mechanisms on antibiotic resistance gene. As two pollutants with similar transport pathways, microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics (ATs) inevitably co-exist in water environments, and their interaction has become a topic of intense research interest for scholars over the past few years. This paper comprehensively and systematically reviews the current interaction between MPs and ATs, in particular, the role played by biofilm developed MPs (microplastic biofilm). A summary of the formation process of microplastic biofilm and its unique microbial community structure is presented in the paper. The formation of microplastic biofilm can enhance the adsorption mechanisms of ATs on primary MPs. Moreover, microplastic biofilm system is a diverse and vast reservoir of genetic material, and this paper reviews the mechanisms by which microplastics with biofilm drive the production of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the processes that selectively enrich for more ARGs. Meanwhile, the enrichment of ARGs may lead to the development of microbial resistance and the gradual loss of the antimicrobial effect of ATs. The transfer pathways of ARGs affected by microplastic biofilm are outlined, and ARGs dependent transfer of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) is mainly through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Furthermore, the ecological implications of the interaction between microplastic biofilm and ATs and perspectives for future research are reviewed. This review contributes to a new insight into the aquatic ecological environmental risks and the fate of contaminants (MPs, ATs), and is of great significance for controlling the combined pollution of these two pollutants.202337517232
639830.9949The interplay between antimicrobial resistance, heavy metal pollution, and the role of microplastics. Environmental pollution with heavy metals (HMs) and microplastics (MPs) could enhance the global health challenge antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Herein, we explore the complicated mechanics of how HMs, MPs, and AMR are interlinked within microbial ecosystems, as well as the co-selection and cross-resistance mechanisms. Unlike antibiotics, HMs have influenced microbial evolution for billions of years, promoting resistance mechanisms that predate antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). At the same time, this conundrum is further complicated by the pervasive spread of MPs in the aquatic and terrestrial environments, acting as substrates for bacterial pathogenic biofilms and accelerates the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs and heavy metal resistance genes (MRGs). This review highlights that HMs such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) have persistently selected for resistance traits through efflux systems and genetic co-regulation. Together, these interactions are amplified by MPs that create genetic exchange hotspots due to biofilm formation. These dynamics are modulated by organic matter, which serves both as a nutrient source and a mediator of HM bioavailability, directly influencing ARG abundance. Soil and water ecosystems, including riverine systems and landfill leachate, are reservoirs for ARGs and ARG-MRG combinations, with notable contributions originating from anthropogenic activities. This review also emphasizes the urgent need for integrated environmental and public health strategies to mitigate pollutant-driven AMR. This work seeks to approach HMs and MPs as synergistic drivers of AMR such that both HMs and MPs are upstream (causes) levers, a foundation from which future research on sustainable environmental management practices and health policy (One Health Approach), aimed at curbing the spread of resistance determinants can proceed.202540092036
643940.9948A review: Marine aquaculture impacts marine microbial communities. Marine aquaculture is key for protein production but disrupts marine ecosystems by releasing excess feed and pharmaceuticals, thus affecting marine microbes. Though vital, its environmental impact often remains overlooked. This article delves into mariculture's effects on marine microbes, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and antibiotic-resistance genes in seawater and sediments. It highlights how different mariculture practices-open, pond, and cage culture-affect these microbial communities. Mariculture's release of nutrients, antibiotics, and heavy metals alters the microbial composition, diversity, and functions. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, a promising sustainable approach, is still developing and needs refinement. A deep understanding of mariculture's impact on microbial ecosystems is crucial to minimize pollution and foster sustainable practices, paving the way for the industry's sustainable advancement.202438919720
653350.9948The Role of the Environment (Water, Air, Soil) in the Emergence and Dissemination of Antimicrobial Resistance: A One Health Perspective. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a planetary health emergency, driven not only by the clinical misuse of antibiotics but also by diverse environmental dissemination pathways. This review critically examines the role of environmental compartments-water, soil, and air-as dynamic reservoirs and transmission routes for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARGs). Recent metagenomic, epidemiological, and mechanistic evidence demonstrates that anthropogenic pressures-including pharmaceutical effluents, agricultural runoff, untreated sewage, and airborne emissions-amplify resistance evolution and interspecies gene transfer via horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, biofilms, and mobile genetic elements. Importantly, it is not only highly polluted rivers such as the Ganges that contribute to the spread of AMR; even low concentrations of antibiotics and their metabolites, formed during or after treatment, can significantly promote the selection and dissemination of resistance. Environmental hotspots such as European agricultural soils and airborne particulate zones near wastewater treatment plants further illustrate the complexity and global scope of pollution-driven AMR. The synergistic roles of co-selective agents, including heavy metals, disinfectants, and microplastics, are highlighted for their impact in exacerbating resistance gene propagation across ecological and geographical boundaries. The efficacy and limitations of current mitigation strategies, including advanced wastewater treatments, thermophilic composting, biosensor-based surveillance, and emerging regulatory frameworks, are evaluated. By integrating a One Health perspective, this review underscores the imperative of including environmental considerations in global AMR containment policies and proposes a multidisciplinary roadmap to mitigate resistance spread across interconnected human, animal, and environmental domains.202540867959
690960.9948Effect of meddling ARBs on ARGs dynamics in fungal infested soil and their selective dispersal along spatially distant mycelial networks. During the recent times, environmental antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their potential transfer to other bacterial hosts of pathogenic importance are of serious concern. However, the dissemination strategies of such ARGs are largely unknown. We tested that saprotrophic soil fungi differentially enriched antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARBs) and subsequently contributed in spatial distribution of selective ARGs. Wafergen qPCR analysis of 295 different ARGs was conducted for manure treated pre-sterilized soil incubated or not with selected bacterial-fungal consortia. The qPCR assay detected unique ARGs specifically found in the mycosphere of ascomycetous and basidiomycetous fungi. Both fungi exerted potentially different selection pressures on ARBs, resulting in different patterns of ARGs dissemination (to distant places) along their respective growing fungal highways. The relative abundance of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) was significantly decreased along fungal highways compared to the respective inoculation points. Moreover, the decrease in MGEs and ARGs (along fungal highways) was more prominent over time which depicts the continuous selection pressure of growing fungi on ARBs for enrichment of particular ARGs in mycosphere. Such data also indicate the potential role of saprotrophic soil fungi to facilitate horizontal gene transfer within mycospheric environmental settings. Our study, therefore, advocates to emphasize the future investigations for such (bacteria-fungal) interactive microbial consortia for potential (spatial) dissemination of resistance determinants which may ultimately increase the exposure risks of ARGs.202438992349
644070.9947Fate and transport of biological microcontaminants bound to microplastics in the soil environment. Microplastics, fragmented plastic particles with a maximum dimension <5 mm, are an emerging contaminant of concern that can also serve as a vector of other chemical and biological contaminants. Compared to chemical contaminants, the potential of microplastics to adsorb biological microcontaminants such as antibiotic resistance genes, small interference RNAs, and pathogenic viruses is not well understood. Many current microplastic studies are based in the aquatic environment (freshwater, seawater, and wastewater), even though the terrestrial environment is considered both an important sink and source of microplastics. Microplastics co-occur with biological microcontaminants in many terrestrial environments including agricultural soils, where biosolids containing both contaminants are often applied as a soil amendment. Recent research suggests that microplastics in these environments can increase gene persistence and flow, which could have unintended downstream consequences for environmental microbiome health and resilience. Antibiotic resistance genes and silencing RNAs bound to microplastics, for example, have the potential to increase resistance and alter gene expression in environmental bacteria, respectively. This review evaluates the sources and pathways of microplastics and biological microcontaminants in the terrestrial environment as well as potential sorption mechanisms that can encourage long-range transport and persistence. Novel sources of biological microcontaminants are considered, and the role of microplastics in promoting the persistence and flow of biological microcontaminants evaluated. Finally, future research directions are suggested to increase understanding of the mechanisms that drive the fate and transport of microplastic-biological microcontaminant complexes in the terrestrial environment and better inform risk management.202337247742
641080.9947Microplastics 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
693490.9947Impact of protist predation on bacterial community traits in river sediments. Sediment-associated microbial communities are pivotal in driving biogeochemical processes and serve as key indicators of ecosystem health and function. However, the ecological impact of protist predation on these microbial communities remains poorly understood. Here, sediment microcosms were established with varying concentrations of indigenous protists. Results revealed that protist predation exerted strong and differential effects on the bacterial community composition, functional capabilities, and antibiotic resistance profiles. Higher levels of protist predation pressure increased bacterial alpha diversity and relative abundance of genera associated with carbon and nitrogen cycling, such as Fusibacter, Methyloversatilis, Azospirillum, and Holophaga. KEGG analysis indicated that protist predation stimulated microbial processes related to the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles. Notably, the relative abundance and associated health risks of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), virulence factor genes (VFGs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were affected by predation pressure. Medium protist predation pressure increased the relative abundance and potential risks associated with ARGs, whereas high protist concentrations led to a reduction in both, likely due to a decrease in the relative abundance of ARG-hosting pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Aeromonas. These findings provide comprehensive insights into the dynamics of bacterial communities under protist predation in river sediment ecosystems.202540885182
8612100.9946Nano- and microplastics drive the dynamic equilibrium of amoeba-associated bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. As emerging pollutants, microplastics have become pervasive on a global scale, inflicting significant harm upon ecosystems. However, the impact of these microplastics on the symbiotic relationship between protists and bacteria remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms through which nano- and microplastics of varying sizes and concentrations influence the amoeba-bacterial symbiotic system. The findings reveal that nano- and microplastics exert deleterious effects on the adaptability of the amoeba host, with the magnitude of these effects contingent upon particle size and concentration. Furthermore, nano- and microplastics disrupt the initial equilibrium in the symbiotic relationship between amoeba and bacteria, with nano-plastics demonstrating a reduced ability to colonize symbiotic bacteria within the amoeba host when compared to their microplastic counterparts. Moreover, nano- and microplastics enhance the relative abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and heavy metal resistance genes in the bacteria residing within the amoeba host, which undoubtedly increases the potential transmission risk of both human pathogens and resistance genes within the environment. In sum, the results presented herein provide a novel perspective and theoretical foundation for the study of interactions between microplastics and microbial symbiotic systems, along with the establishment of risk assessment systems for ecological environments and human health.202438905974
6445110.9946Microplastics: Disseminators of antibiotic resistance genes and pathogenic bacteria. Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that linger in the air, water, and land. Beyond their physical and chemical risks, there is growing evidence that MPs contribute to the worldwide antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dilemma by acting as carriers of harmful microbes and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Despite an increase in research, the available literature is dispersed, and the part that MPs play in influencing microbial populations and fostering resistance is still not well understood. This review summarizes current research on how MPs contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance. We concentrated on the ways in which MPs support horizontal gene transfer (HGT) processes such as conjugation, transformation, and transduction, assist biofilm development, and offer surfaces for microbial colonization. Evidence from a variety of settings suggests that MPs serve as vectors for opportunistic pathogens, such as the ESKAPE group, and ARGs, increasing the survival and movement of resistance determinants in ecosystems. Through the consolidation of current developments, this review emphasizes MPs as active resistance vectors instead of passive pollutants. We also point out important limitations, such as the lack of standardized procedures, inadequate risk assessment frameworks, and the absence of real-world exposure research. It is imperative that these issues be approached from a One Health standpoint in order to reduce the risks of both plastic pollution and antibiotic resistance.202541056605
6426120.9946Deciphering the pathogenic risks of microplastics as emerging particulate organic matter in aquatic ecosystem. Microplastics are accumulating rapidly in aquatic ecosystems, providing habitats for pathogens and vectors for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), potentially increasing pathogenic risks. However, few studies have considered microplastics as particulate organic matter (POM) to elucidate their pathogenic risks and underlying mechanisms. Here, we performed microcosm experiments with microplastics and natural POM (leaves, algae, soil), thoroughly investigating their distinct effects on the community compositions, functional profiles, opportunistic pathogens, and ARGs in Particle-Associated (PA) and Free-Living (FL) bacterial communities. We found that both microplastics and leaves have comparable impacts on microbial community structures and functions, enriching opportunistic pathogens and ARGs, which may pose potential environmental risks. These effects are likely driven by their influences on water properties, including dissolved organic carbon, nitrate, DO, and pH. However, microplastics uniquely promoted pathogens as keystone species and further amplified their capacity as hosts for ARGs, potentially posing a higher pathogenic risk than natural POM. Our research also emphasized the importance of considering both PA and FL bacteria when assessing microplastic impacts, as they exhibited different responses. Overall, our study elucidates the role and underlying mechanism of microplastics as an emerging POM in intensifying pathogenic risks of aquatic ecosystems in comparison with conventional natural POM.202438805824
8648130.9946Host-specific assembly of phycosphere microbiome and enrichment of the associated antibiotic resistance genes: Integrating species of microalgae hosts, developmental stages and water contamination. Phytoplankton-bacteria interactions profoundly impact ecosystem function and biogeochemical cycling, while their substantial potential to carry and disseminate antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) poses a significant threat to global One Health. However, the ecological paradigm behind the phycosphere assembly of microbiomes and the carrying antibiotic resistomes remains unclear. Our field investigation across various freshwater ecosystems revealed a substantial enrichment of bacteria and ARGs within microalgal niches. Taking account of the influence for species of microalgae hosts, their developmental stages and the stress of water pollution, we characterized the ecological processes governing phycosphere assembly of bacterial consortia and enrichment of the associated ARGs. By inoculating 6 axenic algal hosts with two distinct bacterial consortia from a natural river and the phycosphere of Scenedesmus acuminatus, we observed distinct phycosphere bacteria recruitment among different algal species, yet consistency within the same species. Notably, a convergent bacterial composition was established for the same algae species for two independent inoculations, demonstrating host specificity in phycosphere microbiome assembly. Host-specific signature was discernible as early as the algal lag phase and more pronounced as the algae developed, indicating species types of algae determined mutualism between the bacterial taxa and hosts. The bacteria community dominated the shaping of ARG profiles within the phycosphere and the host-specific phycosphere ARG enrichment was intensified with the algae development. The polluted water significantly stimulated host's directional selection on phycosphere bacterial consortia and increased the proliferation antibiotic resistome. These consortia manifested heightened beneficial functionality, enhancing microalgal adaptability to contamination stress.202540349825
6442140.9946A systematic review of antibiotic resistance driven by metal-based nanoparticles: Mechanisms and a call for risk mitigation. Elevations in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are due not only to the antibiotic burden, but also to numerous environmental pressures (e.g., pesticides, metal ions, or psychotropic pharmaceuticals), which have led to an international public health emergency. Metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) poison bacteria while propelling nanoresistance at ambient or sub-lethal concentrations, acting as a wide spectrum germicidal agent. Awareness of MNPs driven antibiotic resistance has created a surge of investigation into the molecule mechanisms of evolving and spreading environmental antibiotic resistome. Co-occurrence of MNPs resistance and antibiotic resistance emerge in environmental pathogens and benign microbes may entail a crucial outcome for human health. In this review we expound on the systematic mechanism of ARGs proliferation under the stress of MNPs, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced mutation, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) relevant genes regulation, nano-property, quorum sensing, and biofilm formation and highlighting on the momentous contribution of nanoparticle released ion. As antibiotic resistance pattern alteration is closely knit with the mediate activation of nanoparticle in water, soil, manure, or sludge habitats, we have proposed a virulence and evolution based antibiotic resistance risk assessment strategy for MNP contaminated areas and discussed practicable approaches that call for risk management in critical environmental compartments.202438220012
6438150.9946The influence of heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls pollution on the development of antibiotic resistance in soils. The minireview is devoted to the analysis of the influence of soil pollution with heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on the distribution of antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) in soil microbiomes. It is shown that the best understanding of ARGs distribution process requires studying the influence of pollutants on this process in natural microbiocenoses. Heavy metals promote co-selection of genes determining resistance to them together with ARGs in the same mobile elements of a bacterial genome, but the majority of studies focus on agricultural soils enriched with ARGs originating from manure. Studying nonagricultural soils would clear mechanisms of ARGs transfer in natural and anthropogenically transformed environments and highlight the role of antibiotic-producing bacteria. PAHs make a considerable shift in soil microbiomes leading to an increase in the number of Actinobacteria which are the source of antibiotics formation and bear multiple ARGs. The soils polluted with PAHs can be a selective medium for bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and the level of ARGs expression is much higher. PCBs are accumulated in soils and significantly alter the specific structure of soil microbiocenoses. In such soils, representatives of the genera Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Alcanivorax dominate, and the ability to degrade PCBs is connected to horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and high level of genomic plasticity. The attention is also focused on the need to study the properties of the soil having an impact on the bioavailability of pollutants and, as a result, on resistome of soil microorganisms.201829453715
6416160.9946Antibiotic resistance in plastisphere. Microbial life on plastic debris, called plastisphere, has invoked special attention on aquatic ecosystems as emerging habitats for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). There is scarce information concerning how properties of plastics influence ARGs and ARB, the effect of biofilms on enrichment of ARGs and ARB, and, especially, the influence of plastic transformation on ARGs and ARB. Limited research has shown that microplastic (MP) surfaces influence proliferation of antibiotic resistance (AR), aged MPs exhibit increased toxicity due to more adsorption-desorption of AR, and MP transformation is correlated with disseminating AR. Prevention measures of AR include minimizing MP releasing into aquatic environments and sewage treatment plants. The future research should aim to identify the interface mechanisms of transformed MNPs and antibiotics alone, or mixed with other contaminants, property changes of MNPs, and associated toxicity evaluation.202540265125
6530170.9946Microplastic-associated pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in environment. The ubiquitous use of microplastics and their release into the environment especially the water bodies by anthropogenic/industrial activities are the major resources for microplastic contamination. The widespread and often injudicious use of antimicrobial drugs or antibiotics in various sectors including human health and hygiene, agriculture, animal husbandry and food industries are leading to the release of antibiotics into the wastewater/sewage and other water bodies, particularly in urban setups and thus leads to the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the microbes. Microplastics are emerging as the hubs as well as effective carriers of these microbial pathogens beside their AMR-genes (ARGs) in marine, freshwater, sewage/wastewater, and urban river ecosystems. These drug resistant bacteria interact with microplastics forming synthetic plastispheres, the ideal niche for biofilm formations which in turn facilitates the transfer of ARGs via horizontal gene transfer and further escalates the occurrence and levels of AMR. Microplastic-associated AMR is an emerging threat for human health and healthcare besides being a challenge for the research community for effective management/address of this menace. In this review, we encompass the increasing prevalence of microplastics in environment, emphasizing mainly on water environments, how they act as centers and vectors of microbial pathogens with their associated bacterial assemblage compositions and ultimately lead to AMR. It further discusses the mechanistic insights on how microplastics act as hosts of biofilms (creating the plastisphere). We have also presented the modern toolbox used for microplastic-biofilm analyses. A review on potential strategies for addressing microplastic-associated AMR is given with recent success stories, challenges and future prospects.202234813845
6434180.9945Unraveling the role of microplastics in antibiotic resistance: Insights from long-read metagenomics on ARG mobility and host dynamics. As two emerging pollutants, microplastics (MPs) potentially serve as vectors for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments, but the mechanisms driving ARG enrichment remain unclear. This study used long-read metagenomics to investigate ARG mobility and hosts dynamics within the biofilms of MPs and rocks in different water environments. We identified distinct enrichment patterns for microbial communities and ARGs, highlighting the significant role of horizontal gene transfer in ARG enrichment. Specifically, plasmid-encoded ARGs varied significantly among MP biofilms, rock biofilms, and water samples, while chromosome-encoded ARGs remained consistent across these environments, emphasizing the impact of plasmids on ARG enrichment. Despite this, 55.1 % of ARGs were on chromosomes, indicating that host organisms also play a crucial role. The related mechanisms driving ARG enrichment included enhanced cell adhesion, increased transmembrane transporter activity, and responses to environmental stressors, which led to an increased presence of plasmid-encoded ARGs on MP biofilms, facilitating more frequent horizontal gene transfer. Additionally, the diversity of hosts on MPs was notably lower compared to the water column, with specific bacteria, including Herbaspirillu, Limnohabitans, Polaromonas, Variovorax, Rubrivivax, and Thauera significantly driving ARG enrichment. This study highlights key mechanisms and bacterial taxa involved in ARG dynamics on MPs.202540056523
8613190.9945Insights into the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) are prevalent in aquatic environments. Discharge from wastewater treatment plants is an important point source of ARG release into the environment. It has been reported that biological treatment processes may enhance rather than remove ARG because of their presence in sludge. Attenuation of ARG in biotechnological processes has been studied in depth, showing that many microorganisms can secrete complex extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). These EPS can serve as multifunctional elements of microbial communities, involving aspects, such as protection, structure, recognition, adhesion, and physiology. These aspects can influence the interaction between microbial cells and extracellular ARG, as well as the uptake of extracellular ARG by microbial cells, thus changing the transformative capability of extracellular ARG. However, it remains unclear whether EPS can affect horizontal ARG transfer, which is one of the main processes of ARG dissemination. In light of this knowledge gap, this review provides insight into the role of EPS in the transmission of ARGs; furthermore, the mechanism of ARG spread is analyzed, and the molecular compositions and functional properties of EPS are summarized; also, how EPS influence ARG mitigation is addressed, and factors impacting how EPS facilitate ARG during wastewater treatment are summarized. This review provides comprehensive insights into the role of EPS in controlling the transport and fate of ARG during biodegradation processes at the mechanistic level.202438169168