Identification of bacterial flora in the water of swimming pools throughout the year

Abstract

A study was conducted to identify the bacterial flora present in outdoor and indoor swimming pools of a university facility used by healthy individuals and where the water quality was appropriately controlled. Bacteria that were isolated at high frequency throughout the year were gram-positive rods, Bacillus species, and gram-positive cocci, Staphylococcus species. All of the bacteria belonging to these two genera were essentially regarded as non-pathogenic. Other bacterial groups sampled from both pools were found to be members of medically non-problematic bacterial flora on the basis of their characteristics, showing that the water quality of the two pools was appropriately controlled. The swimming pools are appropriately managed, and treated with the disinfectant sodium hypochlorite at 0.4-1.0 ppm, as specified by Japanese law. Some species of the genera Pseudomonas and Serratia have recently been attracting attention as etiological agents of opportunistic infections. Therefore, P. aeruginosa and S. marcescens isolated in this study were subjected to a step-wise sodium hypochlorite sensitivity disk-test. Both bacteria formed an inhibition zone only around (on) a disc containing sodium hypochlorite at a very high concentration of 50 ppm, showing that some species of Pseudomonas and Serratia detected in the swimming pools were resistant to sodium hypochlorite.

Assessment of Microbial Contamination and Physicochemical Condition of Public Swimming Pools in Kashan, Iran

“…The majority of people attend swimming facilities for; recreational activities, rehabilitative treatment or sport. In recent years, there have been many reported cases of infectious diseases caused by the inadvertent swallowing of swimming pool water that was contaminated with bacteria, fungi or protozoa cysts while swimming (1,2). Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium and free living ameba have been reported in some swimming pools in the United States and Slovakia, respectively (3,4).…”

Fungal Contamination of Public Outdoor Swimming Pools in Awka, Nigeria

“…The majority of people attend swimming facilities for recreational activities, rehabilitative treatment or sport. In recent years, these have been reported case of infectious diseases coursed by the inadvertent swallowing of swimming pool water that was contaminated with bacteria, fungi or protozoa cysta while swimming [4]. Swimming pools are often association with outbreak of water borne infections.…”

Electron Microscopic Studies on Bactericidal Effects of Electrolyzed Acidic Water on Bacteria Derived from Kendo Protective Equipment

“…The sample collected on the Countact was cultured at 37°C for 24 h in an incubator followed by culture at room temperature for three days (8). The morphology and color of the colonies collected on the Countact were observed, and the colonies were subjected to isolation culture using heart infusion agar medium.…”

“…To clarify the states of bacterial floras in natural environments, our laboratory has incorporated an advanced instrument, the auto-matic bacterial test system, and performed detailed isolation and identification studies of bacteria found on educational and work facilities, exercise devices, exercise protection equipment, and uniforms. We have identified bacterial flora found on kendo equipment and judo and wrestling mats, as well as in pool water, sumo ring soil, and dance fields (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Furthermore, we have been studying the in vitro bactericidal effects of various disinfectants on bacteria constituting the flora in various sport education facilities and sport equipment from hygienic, public health, and epidemiological viewpoints (5,12).…”