Frequency of pathogenic fungi isolates in recreational coastal water from the state of São Paulo (Pillar 2 - Project 4 - Work Package 5)

• Grant number: 23/15368-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Arnaldo Lopes Colombo
• Grantee: Juliana Cin Fung Jang Bertachini
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10599-3 - The Antimicrobial Resistance Institute of São Paulo (The Aries Project), AP.CEPID

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health concern. In this context, the direct sewage discharge of untreated domestic wastewater and effluents from strongly selective sources such as hospitals, industries, aquiculture has led to an increase in the distribution and frequency of antimicrobial resistance genes in the marine environment. In summer, the coast of the state of São Paulo records very high attendance due to the existence of numerous beaches which attract tourists and locals for recreational activities related to relaxation and water sports. When pathogenic microorganisms reach waters and sands, they expose beachgoers to the possibility of acquiring infections. For that reason, is extremely important to monitor the frequency of pathogenic fungi in recreational coastal water, especially in tropical countries like Brazil that present a long and touristic coastline.