A risk assessment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in swimming pools: a review

Abstract

Despite routine monitoring and disinfection, treated swimming pools are frequently contaminated with the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can represent a significant public health threat. This review was undertaken to identify the current understanding of risk factors associated with pool operation with respect to P. aeruginosa. The ecology and factors that promote growth of P. aeruginosa in the pool environment are complex and dynamic and so we applied a systematic risk assessment approach to integrate existing data, with the aim to improve pool management and safety. Sources of P. aeruginosa, types of infections, dose responses, routes of transmission, as well as the efficacy of current disinfectant treatments were reviewed. This review also highlights the critical knowledge gaps that are required for a more robust, quantitative risk assessment of P. aeruginosa. Quantitative risk management strategies have been successfully applied to drinking water systems and should similarly be amenable to developing a better understanding of the risk posed by P. aeruginosa in swimming pools.

Is there a potential link between indoor chlorinated pool environment and airway remodeling/inflammation in swimmers?

“…These, which may occur more frequently in swimmers due to the intense periods of training [19] but also the pool environment [7,20], are factors known to induce/increase airway inflammation and increase growth factor production, thus possibly influencing airway remodeling, particularly in athletes with asthma [16].…”

Antibiotic Resistance Profiles and Quorum Sensing-Dependent Virulence Factors in Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

“…Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram negative, asporogenous, obligate aerobic, motile and oxidase positive bacilli, usually found in the intestinal tract, water, soil and sewage [1,2]. It is an opportunistic pathogen that is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly infecting patients with predisposing factors, such as burn victim, immunocompromised hosts, or those with metabolic disorders.…”

Semiautomated detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from diverse water samples using highly selective Z-broth and a redox potential monitor

“…Thus, conducting regular spotchecks would be essential in disease prevention protocols to help reduce transfer of dangerous nosocomial pathogenic P. aeruginosa strains and to reduce associated morbidity and mortality rates as well as help slow down the spread of multipledrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains in the health industry. Infectious agent transmission is a problem also in swimming pools and public baths where humidity can support survival and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa (Rice 2012et al, Proctor 2018et al, Tirodimos 2018. The method described in this paper can greatly decrease costs and time to identify surfaces contaminated with P. aeruginosa and to verify desinfection.…”