Fungal Contamination of Swimming Pools and Fitness Centers

Abstract

Studies already reported that swimming pool facilities have contributed to the dissemination of fungal infections. Although most of the studies performed focused on dermatophytes and health effects (tinea pedis and onychomycosis), other clinically relevant fungi such as Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp., and Candida spp., were reported on swimming pools facilities. This study aims to perform a scope review regarding the fungal contamination assessments performed on swimming pools and fitness centers aiming the identification of further research needed on these specific facilities. The research resulted in a total of fifteen articles: nine referred to indoor swimming pools alone; one referred to both indoor and outdoor pools which studied indoor and outdoor public swimming pools, one hospital hydrotherapy pool and one private outdoor pool; one studied an hospital physical therapy pool; three analyzed gymnasiums/sports centers with swimming pools. In all pathogenic and/or pathogenic fungal species were observed. Due to the different sampling and analyzes methods applied, this study highlights the need to recommend an exposure assessment protocol specific for the indoor environments that comprise swimming pools, to allow the risk characterization of users and workers.