Participants in the swimmers study wanted

The RIVM studies the extent to which it is possible to obtain resistant intestinal bacteria by swimming in open water. 19659006] Anyone taking a swim in the city or other open water swimming event can enroll in a RIVM study of antibiotic-resistant intestinal bacteria. These are bacteria that are insensitive to antibiotics. These can also be in open water, such as canals and rivers, in which swimming events are organized. Although these intestinal bacteria are usually harmless to healthy people, vulnerable people, such as hospitalized patients, may become ill. RIVM is investigating the extent to which it is possible to obtain resistant intestinal bacteria by swimming in open water.

Participants in swimming events of 16 years and older can register for this research via www.rivm.nl/zwemmersstudie

Resistant Intestinal Bacteria
There are several ways to improve your body size. Obtain gut bacteria resistant to antibiotics. For example, by contact with animals or people who carry these bacteria, or by trips to countries where these bacteria occur more than in the Netherlands. We suspect that the chance of getting bacteria resistant to swimming is relatively small compared to these other means. This research will show how big or small this opportunity is. This information is needed to decide if action needs to be taken to improve the quality of the water.

Resistant Bacteria in Open Water
Antibiotic resistant intestinal bacteria are found in wastewater from the feces of people treated with antibiotics. The sewage is purified and then discharged into the open water. However, bacteria still exist in purified purified water (also resistant), and these therefore end up in the open water. The official bathing water must meet European quality requirements, the quality of the water is monitored regularly. For other waters, this is not the case and we generally do not know what is the quality.

Shit Bacteria
For the study of swimmers, a resistant variant of the bacterium E. coli is also studied. The shit bacteria is found in the intestines of all people. The resistant variant of the poo bacterium, the so-called ESBL-producing bacterium E. coli, is present in the Netherlands in the intestines of about 1 in 20 people. Most people do not notice it. The bacterium mainly causes problems in hospitals and retirement homes. By examining the stool shortly before and after swimming, we can see if people have ingested ESBL-producing E. coli bacteria while swimming. We are also studying whether this bacterium is also in the water.