Potential Infections Linked to the Microbiological Quality of Swimming Pools _Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa

Abstract

The risk of infections associated with microbiological quality of swimming pools in Kumasi was investigated. A variety of microorganisms can be found in swimming pools and similar recreational water environments which may be introduced in a number of ways. In many cases, the risk of illness or infection has been linked to faecal contamination of the water. Many of the outbreaks related to swimming pools would have been prevented or reduced if the pool had been well managed. Sixty (60) samples were collected from five hotels within three months, five samples in the afternoon and five samples in the morning. The samples were analyzed for the presence of Staphylococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Enterococcus spp, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, total heterotrophic bacteria count, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, total coliform and faecal coliform using Plate Count Method and Multiple Tube Fermentation-Most Probable Number method respectively. Almost all the water samples were contaminated with Staphylococcus spp ranging from 7 x 101cfu/ml to 16 x 101 cfu/ml, Pseudomonas spp ranging from 4 x 101 cfu/ml to 19 x 101 cfu/ml, Enterococci spp ranging from 12 x 101 cfu/ml to 14 x 101 cfu/ml, Total Heterotrophic bacteria count ranging from 6 x 101cfu/ml to 13 x 101 cfu/ml, Total and Faecal coliform ranging from 4 to 6 MPN/100 ml and 0-4 MPN/100 ml respectively. Salmonella spp, Shigella spp and Vibrio cholerae were not detected in all the water samples. E. coli was isolated in one swimming pool of the hotels while Enterococcus spp were isolated in two swimming pools. There were differences in bacteriological quality of the water samples obtained from the swimming pools.