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UK researchers are working with the group Surfers Against Sewage on a project called "Beach Bums". Surfers are being asked to volunteer rectal swabs in order to test the effects of marine pollution on human health:
Tests have shown water may contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Lead researcher Anne Leonard is from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at Exeter University. "We know that surfers regularly swallow lots more seawater than other beach users - around 170 ml per session, which is more than ten times that of sea swimmers," she said. "We've already shown that this water may contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria but we have no idea how this might affect the microbes that live in our guts, or how it could impact upon health."
In the "Beach Bums" project, the swabs will give researchers an insight into the microbes which colonise surfers' guts. By comparing these samples with others from people who don't regularly spend time in the sea, they will learn more about how superbugs in the environment can affect people.
According to Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), this is the first time that the surfing community has got so closely involved with a scientific study. Andy Cummins from SAS said: "We have been laughing about swab parties going on around the country, but this is set against the background of a really important project. Whilst water quality has improved dramatically in the last 20 years, coastal waters can still be contaminated by sewage from both animals and humans, introducing billions of potentially harmful bacteria into the ocean environment. We will give this data to the scientists, to find out if there is elevated risk of being exposed to antibiotic-resistant microbes for water users. This can give us a more informed approach." SAS is calling for 300 surfers around the country to get involved. The results are expected to be released in 2016.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Monday June 08 2015, @01:08PM
How does the multi-resistant bacteria get out of the intestines and attack the host body?
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 08 2015, @01:47PM
Probably the same was that E. Coli gets into the food system--lax hygiene.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Monday June 08 2015, @02:12PM
It's usually the bacteria that gets in your blood stream that kills or maims. And the intestines usually keep bacterias out of the rest of the body. Which also why stabbing in that region may be fatal.. sepsis.
(Score: 2) by Jeremiah Cornelius on Monday June 08 2015, @01:51PM
You had me at "Rectal Swab"...
You're betting on the pantomime horse...
(Score: 3, Touché) by kaszz on Monday June 08 2015, @02:07PM
That isn't a common infectious vector.
(Score: 2) by Gravis on Monday June 08 2015, @02:45PM
either is "Hello" but it worked for Tom Cruise.