Faecal Indicator Bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Marine Coastal Waters: Is there a Relationship?

Abstract

To estimate the quality of coastal waters, European Union Directive 2006/7/EC provides guidelines to assess levels of faecal bacteria, including Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. These microbiological criteria are based on studies that determine the risk of bathers having diseases caused by enteric bacteria, not necessarily measuring the potential danger associated with the presence of nonenteric pathogens. The association between the presence of faecal contaminant indicators and nonenteric pathogenic microorganisms has not been well defined yet. The purpose of this study is to establish a relationship between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and microbiological indicators of faecal contamination. Presence of microbiological contamination in the coastal waters near the sewage treatment plant (STP) of Peniche (Portugal) was confirmed (P. aeruginosa 135.8 Colony Forming Unit/100 mL, Escherichia coli 1100.1 Most Probable Number/100 mL, intestinal enterococci 2685.9 MPN/100 mL) with much lower levels in the areas located south of the STP, along the main water coastal current (beach 1: 0.7 CFU/100 mL, 16.5 MPN/100 mL, 100.5 MPN/100 mL; beach 2: 0.3 CFU/100 mL, 74.0 MPN/100 mL, 145.9 MPN/100 mL, respectively). Analysis of Pearson's correlation revealed a strong positive correlation between E. coli and P. aeruginosa, suggesting E. coli as an indicator of P. aeruginosa presence.Pathogens 2020, 9, 13 2 of 10 throat diseases [11]. These indicators were based on conclusions from epidemiological studies that implicate the enteric bacteria E. coli and enterococci in cases of gastroenteritis associated with swimming. However, the majority of recently reported cases of infectious diseases linked with coastal bathing waters are of nonenteric origin [12], creating a requirement for nonenteric indicator organisms that must be additionally evaluated. Opportunistic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa [13], might better serve to indicate the occurrence of some of the nonfaecal pathogens [12], especially in bathing waters [14]. Taking into account the results found in a study from Mariño and coworkers, where a positive correlation was found between skin infections and the presence of P. aeruginosa in seawater [14], this opportunistic bacteria [13] might better serve to indicate the occurrence of some nonfaecal pathogens in bathing waters [12].Being rod-shaped, gram-negative, facultative aerobic bacterium, P. aeruginosa has minimal survival requirements [15,16] and a remarkable adaptation ability towards a variety of environmental conditions, being able to thrive in soil, water, animal hosts, hospital settings, soap, and even distilled water [17][18][19][20]. P. aeruginosa, as the origin of an extensive variety of infections, is a main cause of illness in immunocompromised individuals [21]. Some examples are endocarditis, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, gastrointestinal infections, and meningitis, and it is also a leading cause of septicaemia [19]. P. aeruginosa is the pathogen mostly implicated in folliculitis and ear infec...

Risk Analysis of Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear) in Children Pool Swimmers: A Case Study from Greece

“…These microorganisms have some specific characteristics and are usually present at higher concentrations than pathogens, therefore, they are used as indicators. There are also publications that indicate that the presence of E. coli is strongly associated with P. aeruginosa [21]. Furthermore, the analysis methods are easier to apply and low-cost.…”

“…Demographics with 13 questions: (1) gender, (2) age, (3) height, (4) body weight, (5) place of residence, (6) citizenship, (7) swimming pool, (8) father's age, (9) mother's age, (10) family income, (11,12) parents' educational level, (13) frequency of use of a swimming pool in the given period (Figure 1). Treatment, recovery, and effects on daily activities with 8 questions: (20) treatment for otitis externa, (21) what treatment, (22) if use of the pool was discontinued, (23) consulted physician, (24) public or private physician, (25) response to treatment, (26) recovery time, (27) abstinence from normal obligations.…”

Literature Review: Water Quality of Public Bathing, Potential Health Problems and Water Borne Diseases on Visitors

“…A study in the Netherlands suggested that P. aeruginosa depended on the pH value (21). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen that often causes folliculitis and ear infections (28). Pseudomonas aeruginosa spreads in humid areas such as rivers, lakes, seas, and water types.…”

Antibiotic resistance’s Genotypic and Phenotypic Characteristics and the Frequency of Virulence Factors in P. aeruginosa Isolates Isolated from Water Samples in Iran

“…Other sources of this microorganism are agricultural soils, drainage, and municipal wastewater. P. aeruginosa is directly related to human activities and is reported in fecal contaminated surface waters [ 9 ].…”