@article{fdi:010095402,
  title = {{C}ulturable macroplastic-associated potential human pathogens in coral reef lagoons, {M}adagascar},
  author = {{R}aherimino, {R}. and {C}rucitti, {T}. and {T}roussellier, {M}. and d'{O}rbcastel, {E}. {R}. and {A}uguet, {J}. {C}. and {R}asoamananto, {I}. and {P}aul-{P}ont, {I}. and {J}ourand, {P}hilippe and {L}enoble, {V}. and {R}abenandrasana, {N}. {M}. {A}. and {B}ouvier, {T}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{P}otentially human pathogenic bacteria ({PHPB}s) have been detected in plastic-associated marine microbiomes, primarily through {DNA}-based methods. {H}owever, data on their culturability and concentrations on plastics remain limited, yet are essential to assess actual health risks. {T}o address this gap, 70 floating macroplastic and 20 seawater samples were collected from two human-impacted reef lagoons in southwestern {M}adagascar ({A}tsimo{A}ndrefana region). {PHPB}s were cultured from their microbiomes using selective media and quantified. {M}acroplastics were predominantly polypropylene (34 %) and polyamide (31 %). {I}n increasing order of concentration, four culturable {PHPB}s, {S}taphylococcus aureus, {E}scherichia coli, {E}nterococcus faecalis, and {V}ibrio {H}arveyi clade species, were identified on both macroplastics and in seawater, across all sites and polymer types. {N}otably, 52 % of macroplastic samples harbored two {PHPB} species simultaneously, while only 7 % were {PHPB}-free. {C}oncentrations of all {PHPB}s were consistently and significantly higher on macroplastics than in seawater, regardless of the measurement unit or polymer type, with the {V}ibrio {H}arveyi clade being the most abundant. {N}o significant correlations were observed among {PHPB} species concentrations, suggesting limited interaction and independent colonization. {T}hese findings indicate that floating macroplastics may serve as reservoirs and fomites for viable {PHPB}s. {H}owever, their potential impacts on ecosystems and human health should be interpreted cautiously. {W}e emphasize the need to contextualize {PHPB} concentration data by considering factors such as exposure pathways, environmental persistence, and bacterial virulence, rather than relying solely on concentration-based comparisons, which may lead to misinterpretation.},
  keywords = {{B}acteria ; {P}athogens ; {C}ulture ; {M}acroplastic ; {C}oral-reef lagoon ; {M}adagascar ; {MADAGASCAR} ; {TOLIARA}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{M}arine {P}ollution {B}ulletin},
  volume = {222},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {118547 [11 p.]},
  ISSN = {0025-326{X}},
  year = {2026},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118547},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095402},
}