Boston University researchers discovered that bacteria exposed to microplastics become resistant to multiple antibiotics, as the plastics enable bacteria to create stronger, thicker biofilms that shield them from medication. The study found that E. coli bacteria formed significantly more robust protective barriers on microplastic surfaces compared to other materials like glass, consistently showing higher antibiotic resistance across various experiments. This discovery raises particular concerns for people in impoverished areas, like refugee settlements, where plastic waste accumulates and bacterial infections spread easily among populations already facing barriers to healthcare.
The researchers plan to conduct further studies in refugee camps to verify if their laboratory findings translate to real-world scenarios and to understand the exact mechanisms that allow bacteria to form such strong attachments to plastic. Beyond political and immigration perspectives, the researchers hope their work encourages more scientists and engineers to investigate the basic science behind how microplastics—which are found worldwide from oceans to human bodies—may contribute to the estimated 4.95 million annual deaths associated with antimicrobial-resistant infections.
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