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<p>Antarctica, considered pristine, is increasingly recognized to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the role of plastic debris as hotspots for ARBs and ARGs in this remote continent remains poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the resistome, mobilome and bacterial communities of the plastisphere present on in situ collected plastics from Antarctic lakes and soils, including an Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPA), using high-throughput qPCR and 16S rRNA sequencing. Plastics exhibited a higher number and higher relative copy numbers of ARGs, including those conferring resistance to synthetic antibiotics, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) compared to surrounding water and soil. ARG–MGE correlations were more extensive on plastics, suggesting enhanced ARG mobilization potential. Isolation of ARBs from plastics after prolonged freezing confirmed the presence of clinically relevant ARGs and MGEs, indicating that plastics act as a hotspot for antibiotic resistance dissemination, with potential environmental and human health implications.</p>

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Inland Antarctic plastispheres harbour unique and diverse antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月29日

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  • Juan Manuel Valenzuela-Lázaro,
  • Evelyn Krojmal,
  • Bárbara De Feo,
  • Gissell Lacerot,
  • Juan Pablo Lozoya,
  • Franco Teixeira-de Mello,
  • María Jesús Martínez Bueno,
  • Amadeo R. Fernández-Alba,
  • Roberto Rosal,
  • Francisca Fernández-Piñas,
  • Miguel González-Pleiter

摘要

Antarctica, considered pristine, is increasingly recognized to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the role of plastic debris as hotspots for ARBs and ARGs in this remote continent remains poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the resistome, mobilome and bacterial communities of the plastisphere present on in situ collected plastics from Antarctic lakes and soils, including an Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPA), using high-throughput qPCR and 16S rRNA sequencing. Plastics exhibited a higher number and higher relative copy numbers of ARGs, including those conferring resistance to synthetic antibiotics, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) compared to surrounding water and soil. ARG–MGE correlations were more extensive on plastics, suggesting enhanced ARG mobilization potential. Isolation of ARBs from plastics after prolonged freezing confirmed the presence of clinically relevant ARGs and MGEs, indicating that plastics act as a hotspot for antibiotic resistance dissemination, with potential environmental and human health implications.