COLIFORMS IN THE SAND IN BEACHES OF CARAGUATATUBA, BRAZIL

Abstract

Beeches are the sites of the main recreational activities of the inhabitants of coast cities and towns. It is obvious that their sanitary quality and of the environment should be also monitored and mandatory. Current study evaluates the presence of total and thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli in the sand of the main beeches of Caraguatatuba SP Brazil and tests their resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Total and thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli were counted by series dilution technique. Total and thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli were detected in the sand of the beeches in Caraguatatuba. High concentration rates were also observed on the beeches called Porto Novo, Centro, Martins de Sá, Indaiá and Cocanha. E.coli strains, isolated from the beeches Porto Novo, Centro, Indaiá, Cocanha and Tabatinga, were resistant and multi-resistant to several antimicrobials tested.