Assessment of Grenadian coastal recreational water quality

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the quality of recreational water along the southern coast of Grenada. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 12 sites were sampled along the southern coast. Water samples were collected bi-weekly for four weeks, during the month of November. Samples were taken from six sites per day, two samples per site, amounting to 24 samples per week, totaling 96 samples for four weeks. The samples were collected between the hours of 8am-12pm. Rainfall data for the sampling period was also collected. Variables measured were Enterococci, total coliform, pH, turbidity, nitrate, and phosphate. RESULTS: The site with the highest percentage of sampling days exceeding recommended limits was Beausejour Bay. Sixty percent of sampling days on the Carenage showed a high rate total coliform readings exceeding 200.5 CFU/100 ml. Flamingo Bay (10%) showed the lowest percentage of sampling days that exceeded the recommended limit for Enterococci. Overall, 30.2% of samples from all sites showed Enterococci level above the recommended limits set by Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (35 CFU/100ml). Temperature, turbidity, pH and rainfall variables were inconsistently associated with microbial content. CONCLUSION: Recreational water on the majority of the beaches along the southern end of Grenada for the month of November 2008 exceeded the recommended limits of total coliform and Enterococci. No positive correlation between rainfall and Enterococci was found.

Diversidade de Escherichia coli e enterococcus isolados de praias da região costeira do Rio de Janeiro / Diversity of Escherichia coli and enterococcus isolated beaches of the coastal region of Rio de Janeiro

Escherichia coli e Enterococcus são grupos heterogêneos de microrganismos queincluem linhagens comensais e patogênicas. A presença desses microrganismos em ecossistemas aquáticos, como as praias da região costeira, emergiu como uma preocupação relevante com impacto significativo na saúde pública, por serem considerados indicadores de contaminação fecal. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência e a diversidade das espécies de enterococos e E. coli em praias localizadas na região costeira da cidade do Rio de Janeiro (Botafogo, Copacabana,Flamengo, Ipanema e Leblon), no período de 2013 a 2014. Para E. coli, a técnica de espectrometria de massa (MALDI-TOF MS) foi concordante com os métodos convencionais quanto a identificação dos 100 isolados da espécie. A filo grupagem revelou que 79 por cento dos isolados era do grupo A, seguido por B1 (15 por cento) e D (6 por cento). Marcadores de patotipos diarreiogênicos foram detectados em um único isolado para Escherichia coli enteroagregativa (EAEC). A susceptibilidade aos 16 antimicrobianos testados foi observada em 12 por cento das amostras, enquanto 88 por cento exibiu o fenótipo de resistência, a pelo menos um deles. Foram detectados 21 resistotipos e 9 isolados exibiram o fenótipo MDR. (...) O conjunto dos resultados obtidos revelou a ampla circulação de microrganismos patogênicos e resistentes nas praias localizadas na região costeira da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Tais observações vêm reforçar a necessidade de reforçar as ações de vigilância nessa localidades e reconhecer o papel desses ambientes como reservatórios de resistência aos antimicrobianos e virulência bacteriana...

Escherichia coli and Enterococcus are heterogeneous groups of microorganisms including commensal and pathogenic strains. The presence of these microorganisms inaquatic ecosystems, such as coastal beaches, can have significant impact on human health since they are indicators of fecal contamination. The aim of the present study wasto assess the occurrence and diversity of enterococci and E.coli in coastal beaches of the city of Rio de Janeiro (Botafogo, Copacabana, Flamengo, Ipanema and Leblon) between 2013 and 2014. For the identification of 100 E. coli isolates, MALDI-TOF MS was completely congruent with the conventional method. The phylogenetic grouping method revealed that 79 percent of the isolates belonged to group A, followed by B1 (15 percent) and D (6 percent). Pathogenic markers were detected in a single isolate of enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). Susceptibility to 16 antimicrobial agents tested was observed in 12 percent of the isolates, while 88 percent showed resistance to at least one antibiotic. Twenty-one antibiotypes were detected and 9 isolates exhibited the MDR phenotype. (...) The overall results reveal the wide circulation of pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant microorganisms in beaches located on the coast of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Such observations reinforcethe needing for robust surveillance in such beaches and highlight the role of these environments as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance and bacterial virulence...

Calidad bacteriológica de aguas en piscinas públicas y privadas de la ciudad de Cumaná, estado Sucre, Venezuela / Bacteriological quality of water of public and private pools of the city of Cumaná, Sucre state, Venezuela

Para evaluar la calidad bacteriológica de aguas de piscinas en la ciudad de Cumaná, estado Sucre, Venezuela, se recolectaron muestras de agua en 1 piscina pública y 4 privadas, codificadas de la A a la E; se tomaron 2 muestras semanales durante 2 meses, antes y después de la limpieza. Se determinó pH, temperatura y cloro residual; los aerobios mesófilos por contaje en placas, el Número Más Probable (NMP) para coliformes totales (CT) y fecales (CF) e identificación bacteriana por métodos convencionales. El pH osciló entre 6,8 y 7,3, la temperatura de 29 a 31ºC y el cloro residual de 0,3 a 0,5 mg/L. El contaje más elevado de bacterias mesófilas se obtuvo en B con 6x10 2 UFC/mL, y el más bajo en C con 3x10 2 UFC/mL. En relación al NMP, antes de la limpieza, el valor más alto se obtuvo en D con 2,8x10 3 CT/100 ml; E mostró el valor más alto de CF /100 ml. Después de la limpieza B mostró el valor más alto de CT ubicándose en 9,3mLx10 2 y los valores más alto de CF para D y E en 3x10 2 . Los valores de CF antes y después de la limpieza superan lo establecido por la normativa Venezolana (0 NMP/100mL). Estadísticamente, no se evidenciaron diferencias significativas entre las piscinas para CT y CF antes y después de la limpieza. Las bacterias Gramnegativas predominaron, en E (84,21%) y B (71,92%), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A presentó mayor número de aislados Grampositivos (44,44%), identificándose Staphylococcus epidermidis y Enterococcus faecalis. Estos resultados indican una constante contaminación bacteriana y riesgo sanitario.

To evaluate the bacteriological quality of water pools in the city of Cumaná, Sucre state, Venezuela, water samples were collected in 1 public and 4 private pools, coded A to E, respectively, 2 samples were taken weekly for 2 months before and after a pool cleaning process. We determined pH, temperature and residual chlorine, aerobic mesophilic for total plate count, the Most Probable Number (MPN) for total coliforms (TC) and fecal (FC) and bacterial identification by conventional methods. The pH in the samples ranged between 6.8 and 7.3, temperature of 29 to 31ºC and chlorine residual of 0.3 to 0.5 mg/L The highest count of aerobic mesophilic bacteria was obtained in B with 6x10 2 . CFU/mL. In relation to the MPN, before cleaning, the CT highest value was obtained in D with 2.8 x10 3 and CT/100mL, E showed the highest CF value with 6x10 2 CF/100mL. After cleaning, the results for B indicated the CT highest values, 9.3 x10 2 CT/100mL, and in D and E the results had the CF highest values, 3x10 2 CF/100 mL. CF values in the samples before and after cleaning exceed the standards established by Venezuela (0 NMP/100mL). Statistically, no significant differences were found between pools for CT and CF before and after cleaning. Gram-negative bacteria predominated, being more frequent in E (84.21%) and B (71.92%), mainly, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sample A had more isolated Gram-positive (44.44%), identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis. These results indicate a constant bacterial contamination and health risk.

Infecciones relacionadas con las aguas de recreo / Infections related to recreational waters

El uso recreativo del agua implica un riesgo de contagiopor parte de microorganismos responsables degastroenteritis, dermatitis y patología respiratoria.Cryptosporidium, norovirus y cepas de Escherichia colienteropatógenas son las causas más importantes debrotes de diarrea, mientras que Pseudomonas yStaphylococcus aureus son los principales agentes deinfecciones cutáneas, y Legionella de infecciónrespiratoria. Aproximadamente, el 90% de los brotes quese producen son en aguas de recreo tratadas (piscinas,balnearios, parques recreativos), frente a un 10% en aguasnaturales (ríos, playas, etc.). En los balnearios, lasinfecciones más frecuentes son debidas a bacteriastermófilas (Pseudomonas y Legionella), puesto que latemperatura y la consiguiente evaporación deldesinfectante contribuyen a facilitar su multiplicación.Los brotes siempre se deben a deficiencias en el controldel sistema: bajo nivel de desinfectante o utilización deuno inadecuado, mantenimiento y limpieza insuficientes,alto nivel de ocupación y averías en los equipos dedosificación. El diseño, mantenimiento y uso adecuado deestas instalaciones disminuyen este riesgo, y esfundamental la existencia de una normativa reguladora,así como campañas de concienciación a los usuarios paraque se cumplan las normas de higiene básicas. Eldiagnóstico etiológico del cuadro clínico, complementadocon la encuesta epidemiológica y la detección sanitaria enlas aguas, todos ellos realizados con rapidez, constituye laclave para el control de estos brotes(AU)

Recreational waters are a source of infection by severalmicroorganisms causing acute gastrointestinal, cutaneousand respiratory illnesses. Cryptosporidium, noroviruses and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains are the mostimportant causes of diarrhea, while Pseudomonas andStaphylococcus aureus are the main causes of cutaneousinfections, and Legionella is the major cause of acutelower respiratory disease. Approximately 90% ofoutbreaks occur in treated recreational waters (swimmingpools, spas and recreational parks), while the remaining10% arise from natural waters used for leisure (bathing inrivers, beaches, etc). In spas, most infections are caused bythermophilic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas andLegionella, since overgrowth of these bacteria is facilitatedby the direct effect of temperature and, indirectly, by theevaporation of the disinfectant.Outbreaks related to recreational waters usually reflectdeficient control of the system: a low level of disinfectant,or the use of an inappropriate disinfectant, insufficientmaintenance and cleaning of the installation, higher thanrecommended usage, and failure of the disinfectantdosage system. The correct design, maintenance and useof these facilities drastically lower the risk of infectionsfrom recreational waters. Thus, other key actions tominimize this risk are the existence of, and compliancewith, regulatory rules, as well as educational campaignson good hygiene practices directed at users. Rapidetiologic diagnosis of affected patients, together with anepidemiological survey and detection of the pathogenimplicated in water samples are the keys to outbreakcontrol(AU)