Fungal and parasitic contamination of indoor public swimming pools in Arak, Iran

Assessment of Portuguese fitness centers: Bridging the knowledge gap on harmful microbial contamination with focus on fungi

The lack of knowledge regarding the extent of microbial contamination in Portuguese fitness centers (FC) puts attendees and athletes at risk for bioaerosol exposure. This study intends to characterize microbial contamination in Portuguese FC by passive sampling methods: electrostatic dust collectors (EDC) (N = 39), settled dust (N = 8), vacuum filters (N = 8), and used cleaning mops (N = 12). The obtained extracts were plated in selective culture media for fungi and bacteria. Filters, EDC, and mop samples' extracts were also screened for antifungal resistance and used for the molecular detection of the selected Aspergillus sections. The detection of mycotoxins was conducted using a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) system and to determine the cytotoxicity of microbial contaminants recovered by passive sampling, HepG2 (human liver carcinoma) and A549 (human alveolar epithelial) cells were employed. The results reinforce the use of passive sampling methods to identify the most critical areas and identify environmental factors that influence microbial contamination, namely having a swimming pool. The cardio fitness area presented the highest median value of total bacteria (TSA: 9.69 × 102 CFU m-2.day-1) and Gram-negative bacteria (VRBA: 1.23 CFU m-2.day-1), while for fungi it was the open space area, with 1.86 × 101 CFU m-2.day-1. Aspergillus sp. was present in EDC and in filters used to collect settled dust. Reduced azole susceptibility was observed in filters and EDC (on ICZ and VCZ), and in mops (on ICZ). Fumonisin B2 was the only mycotoxin detected and it was present in all sampling matrixes except settled dust. High and moderate cytotoxicity was obtained, suggesting that A549 cells were more sensitive to samples' contaminants. The observed widespread of critical toxigenic fungal species with clinical relevance, such as Aspergillus section Fumigati, as well as Fumonisin B2 emphasizes the importance of frequent and effective cleaning procedures while using shared mops appeared as a vehicle of cross-contamination.

Environmental health aspects and microbial infections of the recreational water : Microbial Infections and Swimming pools

BACKGROUND

Swimming pools are places for practicing sports, recreation, relaxation, and socialization. However, swimming pools can expose swimmers to physicochemical and microbiological risks. Accordingly, we studied the environmental health aspects and microbial infections for such recreational water aiming to disclose the possible risks they pose on swimmers.

METHODS

26 pools in Alexandria, Egypt were checked for water quality; 13 pools were checked in winter then summer, and other 13 pools were checked in summer only. Water was collected from both the top and the bottom of each pool; a total of 78 samples were collected in sterile containers. Each sample was divided into three parts; the first part was used for assessing the bacteriological quality of water. They were tested for total colony count (TCC), total coliform (TC), fecal coliform, and E. coli. The second part was used for chemical analysis. The third part was checked for parasitological study.

RESULTS

Obtained data showed that only 7.7%, 78.2%, and 100% of the examined water samples have been found to fulfill the Egyptian standards for TCC, TC, and E. coli, respectively. Moreover, parasitic infection (PI) was noticed in 73.1% of the collected water samples; mainly Cyclospra and Isospora (37.2% each), followed by Cryptosporidium spp., Giradia lamblia, Microsporidia spp., and Blastocystis spp. (34.6%, 21.8%, 15.4%, and 14.1%, respectively). Acanthameba spp. was detected but at a lower rate (5.1%). The frequency of cleaning the swimming pools, flow rate, Cl₂, and total dissolved solids are significantly affected PI, independently.

CONCLUSION

The tested water samples don't meet Egyptian bacteriological criteria. High parasitic contamination despite high residual chlorine level mainly intestinal coccidia, G. lamblia, microsporidia, and Blastocystis spp. Thus, monitoring pool's water quality and improving the disinfection system are mandatory. Consequently, Health education regarding hygienic behaviors before and during swimming should be included in governmental programs.

Internet Addiction in Undergraduate Students of the University of Medicine in Tirana, Albania

Background

The usage of the internet amid university students and has increased significantly. Internet dependence between university students rises the hazard of adverse mental, somatic, economic concerns.

Objective

The objective of our study is to determine the prevalence and aspects related to internet dependence amid university students in the University of Medicine in Tirana, Albania.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was held in June-August 2022 at University of Medicine in Tirana, Albania. By using Internet Addiction Test (IAT) we collected data on respondents' social-demographic features, internet use rehearsals, observed mental status and interactive bond of participants.

Results

From 405 students who delivered their whole reply, we found that the prevalence of Internet Dependence is 109(27.65%).Regarding the gender the majority of the participants were females 275 (67.91%). Prior to the field of study the nursing students involved the larger part of the respondents 177 (43.7%). 234 (57.77%) of the students reported to have a middle economic status.

Conclusion

Almost twenty eight percent of medical university students in Albania depend on the internet. Internet dependence is correlated with applying the internet at the university, using more time on the internet per day, and spending the internet for social media. More surveys are required to regulate the load of psychological issues related to internet dependence in high-risk populations.

Prevalence of free-living amoebae in swimming pools and recreational waters, a systematic review and meta-analysis

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are cosmopolitan microorganisms known to be pathogenic to humans who often have a history of contact with contaminated water. Swimming pools and recreational waters are among the environments where the greatest human exposure to FLA occurs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FLA in swimming pools and recreational waters, through a systematic review and meta-analysis that included studies published between 1977 and 2022. A total of 106 studies were included and an overall prevalence of FLA in swimming pools and recreational waters of 44.34% (95% CI = 38.57–50.18) was found. Considering the studies published up to 2010 (1977–2010), between 2010 and 2015, and those published after 2010 (> 2010–2022), the prevalence was 53.09% (95% CI = 43.33–62.73) and 37.07% (95% CI = 28.87–45.66) and 45.40% (95% CI = 35.48–55.51), respectively. The highest prevalence was found in the American continent (63.99%), in Mexico (98.35%), and in indoor hot swimming pools (52.27%). The prevalence varied with the variation of FLA detection methods, morphology (57.21%), PCR (25.78%), and simultaneously morphology and PCR (43.16%). The global prevalence by genera was Vahlkampfia spp. (54.20%), Acanthamoeba spp. (33.47%), Naegleria spp. (30.95%), Hartmannella spp./Vermamoeba spp. (20.73%), Stenamoeba spp. (12.05%), and Vannella spp. (10.75%). There is considerable risk of FLA infection in swimming pools and recreational waters. Recreational water safety needs to be routinely monitored and, in case of risk, locations need to be identified with warning signs and users need to be educated. Swimming pools and artificial recreational water should be properly disinfected. Photolysis of NaOCl or NaCl in water by UV-C radiation is a promising alternative to disinfect swimming pools and artificial recreational waters.

Fungal contamination of indoor public swimming pools and their dominant physical and chemical properties

Introduction

Considering the existence of both parasitic and fungal pathogens in the indoor public swimming pools and non-utilization of suitable filtration and disinfection systems in these places, this research aimed to determine the relationship between the indoor public swimming pools and possible pollution with parasitic and fungal agents, as well as physical and chemical characteristics of these pools and compare the results with national standards.

Methods

In this study, 11 active indoor swimming pools of Zahedan city were sampled, using plastic pump techniques, from the middle of winter to the late summer season. A total of 88 water samples (eight water samples from each pool) were examined to determine the residual chlorine, contamination with parasitic and fungal agents, using culture media and slide culture techniques. Results were analyzed with SPSS software (V16) and, Microsoft Excel (V2010).

Results

The findings revealed fungal contamination with Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus, etc. and the physicochemical factors comply with the minimum standards, which indicates the need for continuous monitoring and control of water filtration and disinfection of water in the pools.

Conclusion

The results show reasonable derangement of physicochemical and microbial factors of the evaluated pools. Efforts shall be made by the concerned authorities to provide health education to users, quality water at the pools and to maintain the safety and quality of the water through proper and adequate chlorination.

Intestinal mycobiota in health and diseases: from a disrupted equilibrium to clinical opportunities

Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi establish a complex ecosystem in the gut. Like other microbiota, gut mycobiota plays an indispensable role in modulating intestinal physiology. Notably, the most striking characteristics of intestinal fungi are their extraintestinal functions. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the importance of gut fungi in the regulation of intestinal, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, pancreatic, and brain functions, and we present possible opportunities for the application of gut mycobiota to alleviate/treat human diseases. Video Abstract.