Dominican Today reports that antibiotic-resistant bacteria linked to linked to intestinal, urinary, respiratory, and skin infections are present in the Dominican Republic’s main rivers and pose a serious threat to public health.
The Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology and Industry (IIBI) has warned that antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in the Dominican Republic’s main rivers pose a serious threat to public health. The institute urges stronger environmental monitoring, improved wastewater treatment, and responsible use of antibiotics to mitigate risks.
Research conducted on the Ozama, Isabela, Yaque del Norte, and Yaque del Sur rivers detected bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter. These microorganisms, classified by the WHO as priority pathogens due to their drug resistance, are linked to intestinal, urinary, respiratory, and skin infections. The study, led by Dr. Edian F. Franco and Professor Luis O. Maroto, used whole-genome sequencing and metagenomics to identify bacterial presence and capabilities, allowing researchers to trace contamination sources and inform mitigation strategies.
Key findings revealed that Ozama and Isabela rivers, in densely populated urban areas, showed contamination from domestic and industrial discharges. Yaque del Norte exhibited rising intestinal bacteria levels along its course through agricultural and urban zones. In Yaque del Sur, sediment samples contained DNA from Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella, posing a risk if water is used untreated.
The IIBI stressed that river water is vital for cooking, washing, irrigation, and the economy, and that the spread of resistant bacteria could make common infections more severe, expensive, and difficult to treat. The research, conducted with students from INTEC, ISFODOSU, and ISA and funded by MESCYT–FONDOCyT, has already produced international publications, with further monitoring results forthcoming.
For original article, see https://dominicantoday.com/dr/health/2025/09/05/research-finds-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-in-major-dominican-rivers/
[Photo above by Emely Marchena.]
Dominican Today reports that antibiotic-resistant bacteria linked to linked to intestinal, urinary, respiratory, and skin infections are present in the Dominican Republic’s main rivers and pose a serious threat to public health. The Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology and Industry (IIBI) has warned that antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in the Dominican Republic’s main rivers pose a
