Antibiotic resistance may be spreading through viruses on plastic surfaces, researchers warn

New Delhi: Viruses that thrive on plastic waste in the environment could be quietly accelerating the spread of antibiotic resistance, posing serious risks to global public health and ecosystems, according to researchers. The warning comes from a new perspective article that calls for deeper investigation into how viruses behave on plastic surfaces.

Scientists explained that when plastic enters natural environments—such as oceans, rivers or soil—it rapidly becomes covered with microbial biofilms known as the “plastisphere.” These biofilms are already recognised as hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the new research suggests that viruses living within these communities may play a far more influential role than previously understood.

The article, published in the journal Biocontaminant and authored by a team including researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlights that viruses are among the most abundant biological entities on Earth and are deeply embedded in plastisphere ecosystems.

“Most studies so far have focused on bacteria in the plastisphere, but viruses are ubiquitous in these communities and interact closely with their microbial hosts,” said Dong Zhu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. “Our findings suggest that plastisphere viruses could be hidden drivers behind the spread of antibiotic resistance.”

The researchers noted that viruses can move genetic material between bacteria through a mechanism known as *horizontal gene transfer. In plastisphere biofilms—where microbes live in dense clusters—viruses may more easily transfer antibiotic resistance genes across different bacterial species, including disease-causing pathogens.

In addition, some viruses are known to carry auxiliary metabolic genes that enhance bacterial survival under stressful conditions such as exposure to antibiotics or chemical pollutants. This process can indirectly favour antibiotic-resistant bacteria, further strengthening their presence in the environment.

The team proposed that plastisphere viruses may promote the spread of antibiotic resistance by mediating gene transfer, interacting extensively with prokaryotic organisms, and encoding genes linked to resistance mechanisms.

Interestingly, the researchers observed that viral behaviour appears to differ depending on environmental conditions. In aquatic plastispheres, viruses may adopt strategies that encourage gene exchange, potentially heightening antibiotic resistance risks. In contrast, in soil environments, viruses may limit resistant bacteria by infecting and killing their hosts.

These contrasting roles, the researchers said, underline the importance of considering environmental context when evaluating the health risks associated with plastic pollution.

The team emphasised the need for future studies to directly measure gene exchange between viruses and bacteria on plastic surfaces and to improve methods for detecting virus-encoded antibiotic resistance genes. Such research, they added, will be critical in understanding and mitigating the growing global threat of antibiotic resistance.

(with inputs from agencies)