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<p>Microplastic particles are emerging as significant vectors for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), exacerbating the global antibiotic resistance crisis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of how microplastics interact with ARGs, their environmental dissemination, and the associated risks. Microplastics serve as ideal surfaces for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and extracellular ARGs carried by mobile genetic elements, fostering the formation of biofilms that amplify gene transfer through both vertical and horizontal pathways. These biofilms not only enhance microbial survival but also act as reservoirs where antibiotics accumulate, creating selective pressures that further enrich ARB populations. Moreover, co-selection mechanisms involving heavy metal resistance genes may accelerate ARG proliferation in polluted environments. The association of microplastics with ARGs is particularly pronounced in wastewater, where concentrations range from 10⁶ to 10¹¹ copies/L, significantly higher than in natural aquatic environments (1 to 10⁹ copies/L) due to high contamination levels and the inefficiency of current wastewater treatment technologies. In terrestrial ecosystems, microplastics-ARGs are prevalent due to antibiotic use in agriculture and livestock production, as well as the widespread application of sewage sludge on farmland. Additionally, airborne particulate matter, including microplastics, has been identified as a potential but understudied vector for ARG transmission. The environmental and public health implications of microplastics-ARGs are profound, potentially leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and hard-to-treat infections. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the current pollution status in common ecological environments, providing guidance for subsequent research on ARGs and microplastics. At the same time, it emphasizes the urgent need to study the role of microplastics in facilitating the transfer of ARGs between microorganisms, as well as the migration, fate, and impact of ARGs carried by microplastics in the air. Filling these knowledge gaps is crucial for slowing the spread of antibiotic resistance and maintaining global health.</p>

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Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance: Unraveling Environmental Pathways, Interactions, and Emerging Risks

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月18日

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  • Xiao Li,
  • Xin Wang,
  • Fuyuan Li,
  • Kuok Ho Daniel Tang

摘要

Microplastic particles are emerging as significant vectors for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), exacerbating the global antibiotic resistance crisis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of how microplastics interact with ARGs, their environmental dissemination, and the associated risks. Microplastics serve as ideal surfaces for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and extracellular ARGs carried by mobile genetic elements, fostering the formation of biofilms that amplify gene transfer through both vertical and horizontal pathways. These biofilms not only enhance microbial survival but also act as reservoirs where antibiotics accumulate, creating selective pressures that further enrich ARB populations. Moreover, co-selection mechanisms involving heavy metal resistance genes may accelerate ARG proliferation in polluted environments. The association of microplastics with ARGs is particularly pronounced in wastewater, where concentrations range from 10⁶ to 10¹¹ copies/L, significantly higher than in natural aquatic environments (1 to 10⁹ copies/L) due to high contamination levels and the inefficiency of current wastewater treatment technologies. In terrestrial ecosystems, microplastics-ARGs are prevalent due to antibiotic use in agriculture and livestock production, as well as the widespread application of sewage sludge on farmland. Additionally, airborne particulate matter, including microplastics, has been identified as a potential but understudied vector for ARG transmission. The environmental and public health implications of microplastics-ARGs are profound, potentially leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and hard-to-treat infections. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the current pollution status in common ecological environments, providing guidance for subsequent research on ARGs and microplastics. At the same time, it emphasizes the urgent need to study the role of microplastics in facilitating the transfer of ARGs between microorganisms, as well as the migration, fate, and impact of ARGs carried by microplastics in the air. Filling these knowledge gaps is crucial for slowing the spread of antibiotic resistance and maintaining global health.