Microbiological analysis of water used in hydrotherapy

ORIGINAL PAPER

Microbiological analysis of water used in hydrotherapy

Perestrelo M. F.^I; Norberg A. N.^I; Guerra-Sanches F.^I; Torres A. C.^I; Pile E.^II

^IIguaçu University, Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

^IINational Institute of Agricultural Research and Development, INIDA, Cape Verde

^{Correspondence to}

ABSTRACT

Water used in hydrotherapy units of Nova Iguaçu and Nilópolis, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, was microbiologically analyzed. Thirty samples (5ml each) were weekly collected from September 2001 to June 2002 before the beginning and after the end of activities in the units. For analysis, routine techniques were used, which showed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp, Candida spp, Penicillium spp, Epidermophyton spp, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus spp, Cephalosporium spp, Cladosporium spp, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton spp. Results indicated a need for improving hygienic conditions, suggesting that water might be a contamination source in the evaluated units.

Key words: hydrotherapy, water, microorganisms, bacteria, fungi.

INTRODUCTION

In hydrotherapy, water is used in the treatment of several illnesses. However, it might present microorganism due to lesions in the patients or contamination of the source. Also, several equipments used favor the presence of microorganisms, reason why some caution is required. When the necessary measures are not taken, treatment represents risks to the public health (6, 7).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty samples of 5ml water were weekly collected from September 2001 to June 2002 in hydrotherapy units located in the counties Nilópolis and Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Samples were divided into two groups: Group A – collected before the beginning of the units activities; and Group B – collected after the end of the units activities. They were collected following hygienic recommendations and placed in assay tubes. In laboratorial conditions, samples were centrifuged at 2,500 rpm for 20 minutes; the sediment was plated on Thioglycollate medium, which was soon incubated at 37°C for 24h, and also on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, incubated at room temperature until growth of the microorganisms occurred. The colonies obtained in Thioglycollate medium were plated on Bacto-EMB agar (Teague), Blood agar, Chapman agar and Pseudomonas selective agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Colonies of bacteria and fungi were identified according to colonial and stain characteristics and by biochemical and serological tests (BioMerieux Vitek system).

RESULTS

Tables 1, 2 and 3 show that almost all samples from both counties were contaminated but without the prevalence of a particular microorganism (Chi-square; p>0.05).

The microorganisms found in the samples were indicated in Figures 1 and 2, and the most frequent were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida spp, Penicillium spp, and Epidermiphyton spp.

DISCUSSION

Water contamination was previously reported to be a risk to the public health (6, 7). Andrade et al. (1), Fantinato et al. (5), and Doyle (4) demonstrated the presence of microorganisms even after cleaning the equipments used in hospitals. These data pointed out that the lack of attention in the pretreatment of patients allows the presence of several microorganisms including Gram-negative bacteria which, when persistent for lingering periods, can be responsible for approximately 40% of infections. Spread of these microorganisms is facilitated when immunocompromised patients are involved; however, healthy individuals can serve as asymptomatic carriers.

Contamination of public water supply in the counties studied (2, 3) with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans was corroborated by reports of Fantinato et al. (5), who showed the presence of microorganisms in equipments due to the lack of cleaning and care with the patients, indicating inconsistency in the microbiological monitoring routine. Thus, it is suggested the need of further research on the development of routine methods to avoid future problems.

Received: September 5, 2005

Accepted: February 15, 2006

Abstract published online: March 14, 2006

Full paper published online: August 31, 2006

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  19 Sept 2006
• Date of issue
  2006

History

• Accepted
  15 Feb 2006
• Received
  05 Sept 2005