Assessment of Bacterial and Fungal Contamination in Public Swimming Pools in Shahrekord - IRAN

Abstract

The current article is a descriptive-cross sectional study done to investigate the bacterial contamination in the swimming pools in the fall of 2014, in Shahrekord. 21 samples were taken from low-depth and Abstract Background and Purpose: The swimming pool is an important center of entertainment for the public. Pool area is very suitable for the transmission of various diseases, especially fungal and bacterial contamination. The aim of this study was to identify the fungus Candida Albicans, Aspergillus and Penicillium and different bacterial elements in public swimming pools in the fall of 2014. Methods: In this descriptive study, five public swimming pools were investigated in Shahrekord to examine the water contamination for fungal infection in the swimming pools during autumn of 2014. Sampling was done in two different times, and all the microbiological, chemical, and physical tests were done through standard methods. Test parameters included counting and identification of bacteria and fungi, and assessment of the remaining chlorine and pH level. Results: The results revealed that the average pH and chlorine levels were 7.8 and 1.62 mg/L, respectively. The isolated sample of bacteria included Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Other strains of bacteria, i.e. Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter faecalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Clostridium perfringens were reported negative. Of 21 strains sampled from five swimming pools in Shahrekord, Penicillium species with 9.52% percent, Candida albicans with 4.76 percent, and Aspergillus species with9.5 % were isolated. Conclusions: As public swimming pools can be contaminated with different types of parasites and also fungi, observing personal and environmental hygiene, and following standards for remaining free chlorine in water can help reduce the fungal contamination. Considering the fact that most of the bacteria isolated from the pool water in the study contained Escherichia coli, we can conclude that improving the environment and hygienic behavior of the swimmers can be effective in reducing the bacterial contamination in the pools.

Monitoring the Presence of Bacteria, Fungi and Parasitic Pathogens Associated with Swimming Pools in Port Harcourt Metropolis

“…This may be attributed to the absence of educated pool operators, bathers not taking pre-swim showers and less frequent changing of the pool water [40]. Low pH conditions according to [41] have been associated with problems such as itching, chlorine loss, skin spots and sore in swimmers.…”

Recreational Water Quality Assessment of Some Selected Swimming Pools in the Asuogyaman District, Ghana

“…The low pH conditions recorded in RS and VH probably may be due to excessive chlorination. [12] report that low pH conditions have been associated with problems such as itching, chlorine loss, skin spots and sore eyes in swimmers.…”

Assessment of the Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality of Public Swimming Pool in Selected Hotels in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

“…Some of the pools considered in the study recorded high levels of Escherichia coli and this do not conform with the recommended standard of WHO for swimming pools. Saberianpour et al [1] also isolated Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enteroccocus faecalis from swimming pool. According to Edberg et al [35], water sample from swimming pools should be devoid of any organism, not even coliforms in a 100 ml of water because most swimmers get to swallow some of the pool water when swimming.…”

“…Water is very basic to life and also functions among others, in, transportation, recreation, cooling of irrigation systems, and food production processes [1]. Water, is undoubtedly, a vital need of man for food and recreation.…”

“…It is therefore, a body of water of limited size contained in a holding structure, which could be concrete tanks, large paved holes or large artificial basin. Hotel swimming pool is one of the recreational facilities being visited by residents of Ado-Ekiti for pleasure or relaxation [1]. However, pools generally are prone to contamination via many ways: Release of pathogenic micro-organisms from infected swimmers, via skin secretion, saliva, mucus, vomit, urine, and nose.…”