Isolation of Fungi in Swimming pools in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: It has been established that swimming pools contribute to the spread of fungal infections in susceptible hosts. Objectives: To isolate and identify fungi associated with swimming pools. Methods: A total of 147 samples from water and related areas of each swimming pool were tested for the presence of fungi. The samples were examined using the membrane filtration method. Results: The most common fungi recovered were as follows: Cladosporium spp 74%, Penicillium spp 38%, Aspergillus spp 35%, Rhizopus spp 6% and Trichophyton rubrum 3%. Also Trichophyton mentagrophytes were isolated in nine cases from dressing rooms and bathrooms of swimming pools. Conclusion: The swimming pool provides a suitable habitat for the survival and reproduction of fungi. Therefore, this study suggested that apart from the risk of more serious diseases in subjects with weakened immune system, the wide spread presence of fungi and the direct contact bathers have with the water and aerosol, there should be proper monitoring and sanitation for successful control and management of swimming pool related fungal infections. Keywords: Contamination, skin mycoses, fungal infections, swimming pool. Sudanese Journal of Dermatology Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 80-8