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Related Experiment Videos

Swimming-associated gastroenteritis and water quality

V J Cabelli, A P Dufour, L J McCabe

    American Journal of Epidemiology
    |April 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary

    Swimming in polluted water causes gastrointestinal illness. Enterococci bacteria levels in bathing water correlate with illness rates, indicating water quality is crucial for public health.

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    International journal of environmental health research·2016

    Area of Science:

    • Environmental microbiology
    • Epidemiology
    • Public health

    Background:

    • Recreational water use is linked to gastrointestinal illness.
    • Microbial indicators are used to assess water quality.
    • Previous studies suggested a link between water quality and illness.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To establish a direct relationship between bathing water quality and swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness.
    • To identify the most effective microbial indicator for assessing water quality related to illness.
    • To determine the risk of illness from swimming in polluted waters.

    Main Methods:

    • A multi-year, multi-location prospective epidemiologic-microbiologic study.
    • Collected data from New York City, Lake Pontchartrain, and Boston.
    • Assessed various microbial indicators, including enterococci and Escherichia coli.
    • Correlated microbial data with reported gastrointestinal symptoms in swimmers and non-swimmers.

    Main Results:

    • A direct, linear relationship was found between bathing water quality and gastrointestinal illness.
    • Enterococci demonstrated the strongest correlation with gastrointestinal symptoms.
    • Low enterococci and E. coli densities (10/100 ml) were associated with significant illness rates.
    • Swimming in marginally polluted water significantly increased gastroenteritis risk.

    Conclusions:

    • Bathing water quality is a critical factor in preventing swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness.
    • Enterococci serve as a reliable indicator for assessing the health risks of recreational waters.
    • Even slightly polluted marine waters pose a significant risk for gastroenteritis transmission through swimming.

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