Ecological aspects of the antimicrobial resistance in bacteria of importance to human infections

In view of the intimate relationship of humans with coastal lagoons (used for recreation, tourism, water supply, etc.), the discharge of domestic effluents may lead to the establishment of routes of dissemination of pathogenic microorganisms, including microorganisms carrying genes for resistance to antimicrobials, through the surrounding human communities. The objective of the present investigation was to relate the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria to the environmental characteristics of three coastal lagoons, comparing the results with those from hospital sewage. Of the lagoons evaluated, two (Geriba and Imboassica) receive domestic sewage discharge, and the other (Cabiunas) is still in a natural state. We isolated in a culture medium containing 32 1/4 mug/ml of Cephalothin, fecal coliforms (E. coli), non-fecal coliforms (Klebsiella, Enterobacter Serratia, and Citrobacter), non-glucose-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli, and Aeromonas sp. In cultures from the hospital drain we found strains showing numerous markers for resistance to most of the I I antimicrobials tested. On the other hand, in cultures from Cabiunas and Imboassica lagoons, we found strains showing resistance only to antibiotics frequently observed in non-selective situations (considered as "common" markers). The capacity for dilution in the ecosystem, and salinity appeared related with the occurrence of multi-resistant bacterial strains. The intensity of recent fecal contamination was not shown to be associated with the numbers and types of markers found.