Effects of microplastic concentration, composition, and size on Escherichia coli biofilm-associated antimicrobial resistance

Microplastics (MPs) are a significant environmental pollutant with significant public health implications, especially as they facilitate bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A study exposed Escherichia coli to varying concentrations of different MP types, revealing that biofilm cells attached to MPs had elevated multidrug resistance. MPs’ hydrophobicity, greater adsorption capacities, and surface chemistries contribute to their ability to facilitate biofilm formation, potentially leading to biofilm-associated AMR and recalcitrant infections.