Abstract
This study assessed microbiological safety of water from public swimming pools in Guangzhou, China. Water samples from 39 outdoor municipal swimming pools were collected from late June to early September, 2013 and subjected to detection of protozoa (Giardia and Cryptosporidium) and bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginos, total coliforms, E. coli, E. coli O157, Shigella, and Salmonella). Cryptosporidium and Giardia were both detected in 5 (12.8%) swimming pools. Total coliforms were detected in 4 (10.3%) samples with concentrations ranging from 1.3 to 154.0 MPN/100 mL while E. coli was detected in 4 (10.3%) samples with concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.3 MPN/100 mL. P. aeruginosa was detected in 27 (69.2%) samples but E. coli O157, Shigella and Salmonella were not detected. Among these swimming pools, 9 (23%) met the Chinese National Standard of residual chlorine levels and 24 (62%) were tested free of residual chlorine at least once. The multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis showed that all P. aeruginosa isolates belonged to new sequence types (STs) with dominant ST-1764 and ST-D distributed in different locations within the area. Some P. aeruginosa strains were resistant to medically important antibiotics. Results indicate potential public health risks due to the presence of microbiological pathogens in public swimming pools in this area.
Highlights
Many microbiological pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause waterborne disease [1]
By detection and analysis of key waterborne protozoa and bacteria, this study evaluated the microbiological safety of water in outdoor public swimming pools in Guangzhou, which is a large metropolitan area in southern China
The Chi-square (χ2 ) test was applied to assess the potential differences in Giardia and Cryptosporidium presence in water between suburban and urban swimming pools, because we found the prevalence of Cryptosporidium was significantly higher in children hospitalized in suburban hospitals than in urban hospitals in the same area in a previous study [17]
Summary
Many microbiological pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause waterborne disease [1]. Waterborne disease is estimated to cause more than 2.2 million deaths per year and many cases of illness every day, including diarrhea, gastrointestinal diseases and other systemic illnesses [2,3]. Waterborne disease can have a significant impact locally and globally [4]. Waterborne infections are transmitted in numerous ways, including but not limited to ingestion, airborne or contact with contaminated water by a variety of infectious agents. In addition to drinking water, which serves as a route for waterborne illness worldwide, especially in developing countries [5], exposure to recreational water frequently causes outbreaks of waterborne diseases in both developed and developing countries [6,7,8,9].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call