Advances in the Standards & Applied Sciences

Advances in the Standards & Applied Sciences

Microbial Status and Public Health Implications of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Swimming Pool Waters: Disinfection Challenges and Resistance Patterns

Document Type : Review Article

Author
Microbiology and Biology Research Group, Food Technology and Agricultural products Research Center. standard research institute
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic and ubiquitous bacterium that thrives in diverse environments, including soil, water, hospital systems, and even the human body. It is recognized as one of the most significant pathogenic agents in aquatic environments, particularly in swimming pools, where it can cause skin infections (such as folliculitis), external otitis, and in rare cases, systemic infections in susceptible individuals—such as burn patients, cystic fibrosis sufferers, and immunocompromised persons. The intrinsic and inducible resistance of this bacterium to numerous antibiotics and disinfectants—including chlorine and hydrogen peroxide—as well as its ability to form biofilms, highlight its importance as a challenging agent in public health management, especially in moist environments. P. aeruginosa contamination in swimming pools often results from user-related pollution, internal piping systems, and inadequate disinfection practices. Epidemiological data from various regions worldwide indicate a notable prevalence of this bacterium in pool waters, with reports exceeding 60% in some areas. Moreover, increasing antibiotic resistance among strains isolated from aquatic environments—including the presence of beta-lactamase resistance genes such as blaTEM, blaCTX-M, and blaVIM—has raised concerns regarding the role of swimming pools and urban water sources in the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains and horizontal gene transfer to other bacteria. Therefore, regular monitoring of microbial water quality in swimming pools, strict adherence to disinfection standards (particularly appropriate chlorine concentration and pH levels), user education, and proper wastewater and water source management are key measures that can help prevent the spread of this bacterium and associated antibiotic resistance.
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