Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 May 18;20(10):5868. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20105868.
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.
由于微塑料（MPs）具有独特的生态和环境效应，其在抗生素耐药基因（ARGs）传播中的作用日益引起全球研究关注。由于人为/工业活动的广泛使用和释放到环境中，塑料是 MPs 污染的主要来源，特别是水体。由于 MPs 的物理化学特性，它们成为微生物定殖和生物膜形成的理想基质，从而促进了水平基因转移。此外，抗生素在各种人类活动中的广泛和常常不当使用导致其释放到环境中，主要通过废水。出于这些原因，废水处理厂，特别是医院废水处理厂，被认为是选择 ARGs 及其在环境中扩散的热点。因此，MPs 与耐药细菌和 ARGs 的相互作用使它们成为 ARGs 和有害微生物传播和扩散的载体。微塑料相关的抗菌耐药性是对环境和人类健康的一个新出现的威胁。需要进一步研究以更好地了解这些污染物与环境的相互作用，并确定有效的管理系统以降低相关风险。
