Microbiological and molecular characterization of microplastic-associated multidrug resistant bacteria
Microplastics (MPs) dispersed in the environment and in particular in freshwater ecosystems may act as a vehicle for the spread of multidrug resistant bacteria that efficiently colonize their surface forming biofilms. These particles may pose a potential risk for human health exacerbating the diffusion of the antibiotic resistance phenomenon. It is therefore necessary to establish rigorous methodologies to examine the impact of this pollutants on the health status of freshwater, and to highlight the hazards of MPs-associated bacteria travelling all the way down to sea.
Among the activities planned to investigate this topic, our research team is involved in the quantification and identification of microplastics present in rivers of the Marche region, in the isolation and characterization of antibiotic resistant enterobacteria associated with microplastics, and in the detection of the genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance. The composition of the bacterial communities retrieved from the surface of MPs will be analysed using a metagenomic approach and their role in the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (AMR) will be explored through the analysis of the resistome.
Keywords - ENGLISH
Microplastics, MPs, ARGs, antibiotic resistance, freshwater, biofilm
Active participants in the research line (PI last author or *)
Roberto Spurio; Serena Gabrielli; Dezemona Petrelli
External Collaborations
Stefania Marcheggiani (Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Roma); Lado Kranjcevic (Faculty of Engineering University of Rijeka)
Pillar
Human Health
Macroareas in Human Health
Healthy and pathogenic microorganisms
Email Address
dezemona.petrelli@unicam.it
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