STUDY OF RESISTANT BACTERIA AS QUALITY MARKERS IN MANGROVES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

 Introduction: the mangroves of Brazil, mainly in Maranhão, are rich and unique environments essential for local biodiversity. However, they are under significant pressure due to increasing degradation, impacting the biome and the communities that depend on this ecosystem. The mangrove microbial life, composed of bacteria and fungi, is crucial to this balance; however, environmental changes can alter its composition. This study focuses on identifying bacteria in this ecosystem, such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella otoxyca, and evaluating their antibiotic resistance, reflecting public health and environmental quality concerns. The presence of these bacteria can indicate pollution, especially in areas with poor sanitation, and antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern as it directly affects infection treatment in local communities. Objective: the objective of this study is to assess environmental contamination and identify antimicrobial-resistant prokaryotes in the environment of a mangrove area near a hospital. The research aims to analyze the impact of hospital activities on bacterial resistance, focusing on public health risks associated with this ecosystem. Materials and Methods: The methodology collected water and soil samples from three distinct points in a mangrove near a hospital and residential area. The samples were tested with 10 antibiotics, such as Ampicillin (AMP) and Cefuroxime (CRX), to identify bacterial resistance and evaluate hospital activities' impact on the local microbiota and the risk of environmental contamination. Results: The results showed concerning contamination in the local microbiota, with bacteria resistant to antibiotics used in hospitals. Potentially dangerous species to human health were identified, highlighting the risk to communities coexisting with this mangrove area. The research underscores the urgent need to control pollution and bacterial resistance to protect the ecosystem and the local population. Conclusion: it is concluded that there is a pressing need to promote a broad discussion about environmental contamination and bacterial resistance identified in the region. Only through awareness and collaborative measures will it be possible to mitigate public health risks and preserve the ecosystem, encouraging solutions that protect both the environment and the communities that depend on it.