It is clear to us all that Microplastic pollution This is a big problem and this Antibiotic resistance They are one of the biggest problems of public healthcare of the 21st century. But we have not yet known, it was that both phenomena could be connected.
He found a team of scientists from Boston University with the awareness of the study, which has just been published in Applied and environmental microbiologyThe field in this work is a phenomenon PlastisferaThe field these are microbial populations that live in The surface of the plastic which are discarded into the environment. They can be found both in large and microplasts. In both of them, they usually form BiofillesA kind of sheets in which bacteria collaborate with each other to become stronger with possible threats. But can this relate to Antibiotic resistance?
To answer this question, these scientists conducted a number of experiments with various types of microplastics, of different sizes. It was analyzed how they are associated with one type of bacteria: Escherichia coliThe field but its influence on the development of resistance to four types of antibiotics has been proven. In all cases, terrible reality was observed.
Other causes of resistance to antibiotics
Resistance to antibiotics is usually associated with improper use of these drugs. Of course, this is a very successful relationship.
Bacteria can develop randomly Mutations This allows them to survive a specific type of antibiotic or even several. If this happens, by exposing the antibiotic of the bacterial population, most of those who survive are stable. These are also those that will continue to multiply, giving the rest of the same resistance genes. In addition, bacteria can exchange genes between them, therefore, the more possible stability genes will share with others. In each meeting with an antibiotic, more susceptible bacteria die, and more stable bacteria will remain the next one.
This is the reason why antibiotics should be used only when they are strictly necessary for enough time. The exposition for too long or when there is no bacterial infection, for example, with diseases caused by viruses, this is another possibility for bacteria for Enrich in these genes of resistance to antibiotics.
Nevertheless, it seems clear that the main risk factor for the development of resistance to antibiotics is the improper use of these drugs. But now we know that there is something else, no matter how unexpected it may seem.
The role of microplastics
To conduct their research, these scientists took samples of three different types of microplastics: Polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene. There were sizes From 0.5 mm to 10 micronsThen all these samples contacted the field E.Coli Within 10 days. Every 2 days for all this time, this Minimum inhibitory concentration. That is, the required amount of antibiotic to terminate the infection. It was designed for four antibiotics: Streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin and doxycycline.
Thus, it was noted that in all cases when the day of microplastics passed, the concentration of antibiotics necessary to stop bacteria increased. The time has come when nothing was enough.
First of all, he was perceived with the help of polystyrene, regardless of the size of microplastic particles. It was evident that in this material they are more striving to form biofilles. Although we do not believe in this, we all saw biofilles. This is so slippery layer Which is sometimes formed in the fabric or scales of the kitchen and does not disappear, regardless of how much we wash them. If we looked at them on a microscope, we will see a lot of bound bacteria.
Antibiotics were not indispensable
In this case, it is curious that even when removing antibiotics and microplastics, bacteria were already resistant to the upcoming meeting with the drug. Perhaps during all this time they remained stronger in the biofilm, they had time to develop more genes of resistance to antibiotics. In addition, this connection and, possibly, some factor present in plastics increases the predisposition to the experience of the appropriate and perpetuating mutations.
It is terrible in all this that it was revealed that resistance to antibiotics has been developed Even without exposure to antibiotics. Therefore, we are faced Double problem Very serious. In the environment and in our body, there are more and more microplastics. Microplastics were found in our brain, blood, breast milk, and even in deep lungs. The first feces of children already contain microplastics, so people today come to the world affected by one of our largest problems of pollution.
If we add resistance to antibiotics to all this, the result can be terrible. Of course, this is a great reason to immediately take the problem of microplastics and try to find solutions. But not only individual. If large companies and institutions do nothing, we are lost.
Source: Hiper Textual
