Resistência antimicrobiana na costa brasileira

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms develop mechanisms to resist medications, rendering treatments ineffective and posing a global public health threat. The unregulated use of antibiotics in agro-industry contributes to the increase in AMR, especially in marine environments, where ship ballast water facilitates the spread of resistant microorganisms. Ports, such as those in Brazil, are critical points for this dissemination due to the presence of large river basins and waste discharge.A total of 92 publications on AMR in Brazil's coastal and marine areas between 2010 and 2022 were analyzed. Despite a gradual increase in scientific output, the topic remains underexplored in the country. This review examines data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and phenotypes detected along the Brazilian coast from 2010 to 2022, highlighting critical gaps and offering directions for future research. Of the 55 antibiotics tested, only 13 were listed as priorities by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The β-lactam class received considerable research attention; however, the most frequently detected gene was sul1, belonging to the sulfonamide class. There was a heterogeneous geographical distribution of studies, with most concentrated in the Southeast region, followed by the Northeast, South, and North regions. The studies identified significant resistance genes and underscored the need for investigations into their interactions with phenotypes. Resistance was also associated with chemical compounds in sediments and ballast water. Although phenotypic tests predominate, they often overlook critical antibiotics listed by WHO, and studies in ports and urbanized areas are scarce. The increase in AMR in Brazilian marine environments requires monitoring of host species, particularly migratory ones, and multidisciplinary research to assess the presence of AMR in water, sediments, and organisms. The implementation of more comprehensive studies aligned with global priorities is essential to address the challenges of AMR.