What would you do if you were an Olympian, about to go to Brazil to compete in the 2016 Olympics, and there are warnings about a “Superbug”? Would you think twice? Some athletes are pulling out, although there is so much controversy in Brazil right now, it’s hard to know exactly why, but carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE, may be to blame in some cases.
In Brazil, CRE seems to be coming from hospital waste. It colonizes in the intestine and produces an enzyme called KPC, which is resistant to antibiotics. CRE is not just found in Brazil. In fact, it is found in the United States, as well as, Canada, India, China, Australia and some countries in Europe. The problem in Brazil, is that there is not a sufficient sewage system and the hospital waste runs into the rivers and into the Guanabara Bay. In fact, much of Rio’s raw sewage, from 10 million people, runs into the Bay.
CRE is known to cause urinary, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. These infections become difficult to treat since they are resistant to most commonly used antibiotics and is fatal in an estimated 50% of those infected. Like other “Superbugs”, it can pass on it’s defenses to other bacteria.
This is unfortunate news for Brazil, who already faces challenges which are affecting the games. Besides reports about the the “Superbug”, they are contending with the Zika virus, financial problems, increasing violence and the President facing possible impeachment. Upon bidding in 2009, Brazil promised to clean up the Bay by the Olympics, but still has a ways to go.
Neither Renata Picao, lead researcher in Rio de Janeiro, nor the Olympic Committee is recommending suspension of the games or changing venues. They say it is still unclear how big the risk is at this time but CRE has been detected at Botafogo and Flamengo beaches where sailors will compete, as well as other popular beaches. They state the risks are unknown but MDs should be aware in case infection occurs.
Obviously “Superbugs” are of concern, but they are here for a reason. Humans have created environments for them to thrive in, whether in the ocean or in our bodies. Yes, in this case, we are dealing with the toxic effect of mistreated waste. Certainly, someone who is immunocompromised or has open wounds, for example, should avoid contact. However, when it comes to our individual health, there are practices we can take on to support strong immunity to prevent not only the common cold, but infection from “Superbugs”. We don’t know when we come into contact with them, but it doesn’t matter. For the average healthy person, if we can create diversity of beneficial organisms in our gut, where 70% of our immunity is, we will be less susceptible to infection in general.
This is not to say that I would recommend swimming in the bay, but I can understand why an Olympic athlete would. That aside, I would just like for us to start thinking about why “Superbugs” exist. We have been so afraid of bacteria that we have sterilized our guts with antibiotics and we are left without defenses. We’ve done the same thing to our environment and our food systems. We can’t change it overnight, but we can create individual and collective healthy microbiomes to resist “Superbugs” instead of relying on antibiotics.
Consider the following for creating your own defense:
- Wash your hands with soap and water if soiled, consider avoiding hand sanitizer
- Keep your bacterial ecosystem (microbiome) diverse for increased immunity
- Eat foods that support bacterial diversity with a mostly plant based diet
- Avoid the use of antibiotics whenever possible
