[Opportunistic bacteria in the seawater of recreational areas]

In the coastal water of several seas lying in different climatic zones the content of such opportunistic bacteria as Klebsiella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined. Correlative relationships between Klebsiella, P. aeruginosa, lactose-positive Escherichia coli, fecal E. coli, enterococci and salmonellae were revealed. On the basis of these relationships the conclusion on the possibility of using lactose-positive E. coli as indicator of Klebsiella content in sea water was made. The levels of Klebsiella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the sea water of recreational zones, meeting the current norms for lactose-positive E. coli, did not reach levels, dangerous with respect to infective doses, if these bacteria were regarded as opportunistic.