Microplastics as vectors for antibiotic resistance: Role of pathogens, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals and personal care products

Microplastics have become ubiquitous in the environment due to the uncontrolled usage of plastic products. During their migration, microorganisms colonize their surface, forming what is known as plastisphere. The presence of human pathogenic bacteria on the plastisphere presents new opportunities for the spread of diseases during its extensive migration. Additionally, the plastisphere has been found to adsorb significant amounts of antibiotics from the environment, serving as a breeding ground for antibiotic resistance genes, posing significant risks to global antimicrobial medicine. Furthermore, plastisphere has the capability to adsorb heavy metals and co-select for co-resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals, exacerbating the complexity and persistence of antibacterial genes. Finally, various emerging pollutants, prevalent in the environment, may enhance the diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes. Nevertheless, research on the genetic mechanisms, transmission properties, and environmental risks of co-resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals in microplastics is still in its infancy and requires comprehensive exploration.