The research team focused on two human pathogens that cause respiratory illness and show high levels of antibiotic resistance, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Black carbon, a component of air pollution, affects the way bacteria grows and forms communities.
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In this case, researchers found that black carbon changes the antibiotic tolerance of Staphylococcus aureus communities. It also increases the resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae communities to penicillin, a key drug for bacterial pneumonia treatment.
Additionally, black carbon caused Streptococcus pneumoniae to spread from the nose to the lower respiratory tract.
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