Keywords
1. Antibiotic Resistance
2. Nanoparticles Environmental Impact
3. Metal-Based Nanoparticles
4. Antibiotic Resistance Mitigation
5. Environmental Health Risks
As the world becomes more technologically advanced, the application of nanotechnology in various sectors has expanded significantly. Particularly, metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) have captured the attention of numerous industries due to their unique properties and efficiency in diverse applications, which range from medical to environmental settings. However, recent research published in ‘The Science of the Total Environment’ journal has drawn attention to an unforeseen consequence associated with these tiny marvels: the progressive elevation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in bacterial populations. The systematic review, authored by Qunkai Fang and Xiangliang Pan from the College of Environment at Zhejiang University of Technology, delves into the molecular mechanisms by which MNPs inadvertently contribute to the global public health emergency of antibiotic resistance.
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170080
The emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms pose profound threats to human health, rendering common infections more complicated to manage and treat. The study acknowledges that the growing problem is multifactorial, exacerbated not only by the excessive use of antibiotics but also by environmental pressures such as pesticides, metal ions, and other pharmaceutical residues. The review focuses on the relatively under-explored area of MNPs, which, while poisoning bacteria as broad-spectrum germicidal agents, simultaneously promote the development of ‘nanoresistance’ at ambient or sub-lethal concentrations.
Through an elaborate and comprehensive analysis, Fang and Pan unravel the intricate mechanisms of ARGs proliferation. The authors highlight the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in facilitating mutagenesis—an essential process in developing antibiotic resistance. Additionally, the regulation of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) relevant genes, the unique nano-properties of MNPs, as well as factors such as quorum sensing and biofilm formation significantly contribute to the ARGs spread. The release of metal ions from nanoparticles is also detailed as a critical factor in promoting ARGs, underlining the complex interactions between MNPs, microbial genetics, and environmental health.
Crucially, the study acknowledges the co-occurrence phenomena, where resistance to MNPs and antibiotics emerges concurrently within both harmful pathogens and otherwise benign microbes. This dual resistance can have dire consequences for human health, specifically in clinical contexts where the application of MNPs is gaining popularity.
Responding to the urgency to address this emerging threat, the authors propose a virulence and evolution-based antibiotic resistance risk assessment strategy targeted at MNP contaminated environments. Fang and Pan encourage comprehensive surveillance of water, soil, manure, and sludge ecosystems, where MNPs are likely to accumulate and interact with microbial communities. By doing so, they aim to predict the alteration patterns in antibiotic resistance mediated by MNPs—in hopes of containing the spread at its root.
The paper does not only identify potential risks but also discusses practical approaches for managing them. Highlighted among the suggested methods are stringent controls and limitations on the discharge of MNPs into critical environmental compartments, the implementation of more robust waste treatment processes, and public policy measures to regulate MNP usage.
References
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Declaration of Competing Interest: The authors declared no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper.
This comprehensive approach to tackling the unintended consequences of nanotechnology applications represents a necessary step in mitigating one of the most daunting challenges of our time: antibiotic resistance. As research continues to unfold the mysteries of the microbial world, it is imperative that industry, researchers, and policymakers collaborate in developing effective strategies to prevent the exacerbation of the antibiotic resistance crisis. In doing so, they will be protecting not only the environment but also safeguarding human health for generations to come.