Brazil: University research proves existence of superbacteria on beaches of Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The study “Orla Limpa, Orla Viva – Coastal Region of Niterói: Problems and Solutions”, conducted by the Federal University Fluminense (UFF), has confirmed the existence of superbacteria on the beaches of Niterói, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, after one year of research.

The research objective is to evaluate the quality of the sand on the beaches of Icaraí, Itaipu, Piratininga, and São Francisco by studying the relationship between the presence of microplastics and superbacteria which are resistant to various antibiotics and can cause infections that are difficult to treat.

The project was launched in March 2021 in collaboration with the Niterói City Hall and the Euclides da Cunha Foundation (FEC) under the Program for the Development of Applied Projects (PDPA).

The research coordinator, Professor Abilio Soares of the Department of Marine Biology of UFF, told Agência Brasil today (8) that the problem of superbacteria is already proving to be a growing problem in the world. “We have a shortage of antibiotics to treat certain diseases because these superbacteria are resistant to antibiotics. This is a global problem.”

However, Professor Soares said it could not be said that the presence of superbacteria in the sand is a problem in itself. Pathogenic bacteria are present in other matrices, such as seawater and other polluted places.

“But the beach is a place where people come into contact with these microorganisms because they sit in the sand and children play in the sand,” the expert said. “But it has tremendous potential to become a public health problem.

Research has found that pathogenic organisms that have long been found on beaches are a problem, such as those found in seawater that people can ingest and cause dysentery, among other things. The same is true for pathogenic bacteria in the sands.

“The problem of superbacteria is something that is in addition to the problems we have on the beaches,” he said.