Nanoplastics originating from single-use plastic bottles have been identified as contributors to the spread of antibiotic resistance (AR), according to a recent study. The findings highlight an emerging public health concern at the intersection of plastic pollution and the AR crisis.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) in Mohali, an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), investigated the impact of plastic nanoparticles on gut bacteria. Led by Dr Manish Singh, the research team focused on Lactobacillus acidophilus, a key component of the human gut microbiome, to explore whether nanoplastics could transform beneficial bacteria into carriers of AR genes.
To simulate real-world conditions, the researchers synthesised nanoplastic particles from discarded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, a common source of pollution from single-use plastics. These particles, termed PET bottle-derived nanoplastics (PBNPs), were used to examine how nanoplastics facilitate AR gene transfer among bacteria.
The study demonstrated that PBNPs can enable the transfer of AR genes from E. coli to Lactobacillus acidophilus through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). This process involves two mechanisms:
- Direct Transformation Pathway: PBNPs act as carriers, physically transporting AR plasmids across bacterial membranes to promote direct gene transfer.
- Outer Membrane Vesicle (OMV)-Induced Transfer Pathway: PBNPs induce oxidative stress on bacterial surfaces, triggering increased secretion of OMVs. These vesicles, loaded with AR genes, serve as vectors for gene transfer, even between unrelated bacterial species.
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The research, published in the journal Nanoscale, reveals that nanoplastics can inadvertently convert beneficial bacteria into reservoirs for AR genes. This poses a risk of these genes being passed to pathogenic bacteria, especially during infections, thereby compounding the AR challenge.
Given the critical role of gut bacteria in immune defence, digestion, and disease prevention, protecting microbiome health is essential. Limiting nanoplastic contamination could help preserve the gut microbiota’s stability and reduce the risk of AR gene transfer.
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