(FREE) UPSC Current Affairs 2024 PDF

(THE GIST OF PIB) Nanoplastics and Antibiotic Resistance

(DECEMBER-2024)

Nanoplastics and Antibiotic Resistance

A recent study has highlighted that nanoplastics derived from single-use plastic bottles (SUPBs) contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance (AR).

About Antibiotic Resistance (AR):

AR is a type of antimicrobial resistance where bacteria evolve to withstand the effects of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.
It occurs primarily due to genetic changes that allow bacteria to neutralize or evade drugs designed to kill them.

Key Findings of the Study:

Nanoplastics can transform Lactobacillus acidophilus, a beneficial gut microbiota, into a carrier of AR genes.
These AR genes can be transferred to pathogenic bacteria, exacerbating the AR crisis.
Polyethylene terephthalate bottle-derived nanoplastics (PBNPs) facilitate the Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) of AR genes from E. coli to L. acidophilus.
HGT involves gene transfer across different bacterial species, unlike vertical gene transfer, which occurs from parent to offspring.

Mechanisms of AR Gene Transfer:

Direct Transformation Pathway: PBNPs act as physical carriers, transporting AR plasmids across bacterial membranes. This facilitates direct gene transfer between bacteria.
OMV-Induced Transfer Pathway: PBNPs induce oxidative stress, triggering an increased secretion of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). These OMVs, loaded with AR genes, serve as potent vectors for gene transfer between bacterial species, including beneficial and pathogenic bacteria.

What are Nanoplastics?

They are solid particles of synthetic or heavily modified natural polymers, ranging in size from 1 nm to 1000 nm.

Types:

Primary Nanoplastics: Intentionally produced for specific applications.
Secondary Nanoplastics: Generated from the fragmentation of larger plastics, often released unintentionally into the environment.