Survey of Fungal Contamination in Surfaces of Yazd indoor Swimming Pools in 2011

Previous studies show that swimming in pools which are not well managed، can transmit infections. So there is still concern that swimmers by contacting with water and swimming pool environment could be affected by fungal diseases. So this study aimed to determine the amount of fungal contamination in indoor pools of Yazd in 2011. In this study، all the indoor swimming pools of Yazd (12 pools) during the spring and summer of 2011 in terms of fungal contamination were studied. To determine fungal contamination of the sample، a sterile carpet collection method was used. Sixty samples from different environmental surfaces in each pool (shower، dressing room surface، the chair and sit in the sauna، bath، platforms، around the pool)، 5 areas on average from each pool and to tally about 720 samples from all pools were tested for separation of bacterial contamination. Results of the present study showed that from all the 720 cultivated samples، 495 samples (68. 8%) were positive for one or more fungal contamination including 443 mould saprophyte (89. 5%)، 48 yeast saprophyte (9. 7%) and 4 dermatophyte pathogenic fungi (0/8%). Most fungal species were isolated from showers، dressing area، sauna and pool''s peripheral area. According to the results of this study، it is necessary to pay more attention to sanitation and disinfection of water and environment around swimming pools. Also necessary actions and educations on disinfection and eliminating contamination have to given to the pools authorities.