Bacteria found on ocean plastics is ‘antibiotic-resistant’, say scientists
A study in Northern Ireland has found that plastic pollutants in the world’s oceans contain bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Researchers collected plastic food packaging from 18 coastal sites around Northern Ireland — from Lough Foyle to Carlingford Lough — and then tried to kill the bacteria found on the items with common antibiotics.
Antimicrobial resistance can threaten effective treatment and prevention of infections, according to John Moore of the Northern Ireland Public Health Laboratory.
“Without antibiotics, we’re not going to be as successful with surgeries or cancer chemo therapies, because we’re compromised,” said Moore. “Globally, we are developing major problems with drug-resistant TB, HIV and malaria. Antimicrobial resistance can emerge in hospitals and general practices. We wanted to look at subtle ways that