Experimental study reveals microplastic fibers increase viral mortality in rainbow trout under chronic exposure, indicating particle shape and timing influence disease severity.
Key Points
To evaluate how nylon microplastic morphology (fibers versus spheroids) and exposure timing affect the virulence and mortality of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in rainbow trout.
Exposed rainbow trout to nylon microparticles (spheroids) or nylon microfibers in combination with infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus.
Evaluated infection outcomes across distinct exposure timelines: pre-virus only, post-virus only, and chronic exposure spanning 30 days before through 30 days after viral introduction.
Mortality was significantly higher in fish exposed to virus plus microfibers compared to fish exposed to virus plus spheroid microplastics or virus alone.
The elevated mortality effect occurred exclusively under chronic exposure (30 days pre- to 30 days post-infection), with no significant mortality increase observed during pre-exposure or post-exposure alone.