<p>The spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment has become a major public health issue of global concern. As an important component of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), bioaerosols play a key role in atmospheric precipitation processes. In this study, the hygroscopicity parameter (κ) and CCN activation properties of aerosols (bacterial fragments) of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and potential pathogenic bacteria (PPB) at 0.1-1.0% supersaturation were determined by coupling a cloud condensation nuclei counter (CCN_C) and scanning mobility particle size spectrometer (SMPS). The effects of different physiological states (viable, damaged and inactivated bacteria) on CCN activity were also investigated. The results showed that the mean κ values for ARB and PPB were 0.20 and 0.19, respectively. Aerosols of living bacteria had the lowest CCN activity. And as the bacteria were progressively damaged, the CCN activation of their aerosols became progressively stronger. The present study revealed the role of the physiological state of bacteria in the regulation of their CCN activity, which provides an important theoretical basis for the elucidation of the mechanism of atmospheric trans-regional transport of ARB and pathogens.</p>