Assessment of the exposure of swimmers to microbiological contaminants in fresh waters

摘要: As part of a prospective cohort study among triathletes to determine relationship between the microbiological quality fresh bathing water and risk acquiring an intestinal infection, exposure contaminants was assessed. Waters were collected at seven triathlons (swimming course 1–1.5km) held in summer 1993 1994 have range qualities. All influenced by sewage effluents, most also agricultural run-off. Samples several weeks before event establish sampling programme (1993) during actual (1993 1994) examined for thermotolerant coliforms alone (samples preceding event) E. coli , faecal enterococci, Staphylococcus aureus F-specific RNAphages, enteroviruses thermophilic Campylobacter, Salmonella, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas shigelloides Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1993). The samples taken showed significant differences coliform concentration locations, depths times. Also swimmer exposure, occurred microorganism levels different points over swimming course. swam as group, they exposed approximately same time. geometric mean used characterise each site. In epidemiological study, infection correlated with but not other parameters. ranged from 11–330/100mL 54–1,200/100mL . Ranking sites pollution level, based on indicator, resulted ranking indicator. At studied, only ratio density constant. parameters related (faecal RNA phages, enteroviruses) varied considerably. Water standards relating can be that show correlation illness.