Microbial diversity of bioaerosol inside sports facilities and antibiotic resistance of isolated Staphylococcus spp.

Abstract

In the modern world, healthy habits and physical and mental fitness are more important than ever. A growing number of people participate in sports to improve their overall health. However, the conditions in which people exercise are seldom examined. It is obvious that the air in buildings, including sports facilities, can be contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, causing infections and allergies. Our study was aimed at assessing microbial air quality inside several sports facilities (fitness room, martial arts room, swimming pool, sports hall, gym) and at a sports field. Another objective was to evaluate the antibiotic resistance of isolated Staphylococcus strains. Air samples were collected with MAS-100 sampler, using selective substrates. Antibiotic resistance of mannitol-positive staphylococci was assessed using a disk diffusion method in accordance with EUCAST recommendations. The results indicated large fluctuations in average concentrations of heterotrophic bacteria, ranging from 38 CFU m−3 (swimming pool) to 1036 CFU m−3 (sports hall). Generally, bacteria were more abundant inside the buildings, while fungi in the sports field (658 CFU m−3 on average). In all facilities, airborne fungal communities were dominated by the genus Cladosporium, followed by Penicillium, Fusarium and Acremonium. Alternaria and Aureobasidium constituted only a small percentage of isolated molds. We recorded only low concentrations of mannitol-positive staphylococci (on average ranging from 1 CFU m−3 at the swimming pool and sports field to 9 CFU m−3 in the martial arts room). Of all isolated Staphylococcus strains, 73% were resistant to benzopenicillin, while more than 90% were sensitive to gentamycin, levofloxacin and rifampicin.