title: Indicator microbes correlate with pathogenic bacteria, yeasts and helminthes in sand at a subtropical recreational beach site.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research into the relationship between pathogens, faecal indicator microbes and environmental factors in beach sand has been limited, yet vital to the understanding of the microbial relationship between sand and the water column and to the improvement of criteria for better human health protection at beaches. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the presence and distribution of pathogens in various zones of beach sand (subtidal, intertidal and supratidal) and to assess their relationship with environmental parameters and indicator microbes at a non-point source subtropical marine beach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this exploratory study in subtropical Miami (Florida, USA), beach sand samples were collected and analysed over the course of 6 days for several pathogens, microbial source tracking markers and indicator microbes. An inverse correlation between moisture content and most indicator microbes was found. Significant associations were identified between some indicator microbes and pathogens (such as nematode larvae and yeasts in the genus Candida), which are from classes of microbes that are rarely evaluated in the context of recreational beach use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicate that indicator microbes may predict the presence of some of the pathogens, in particular helminthes, yeasts and the bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant forms. Indicator microbes may thus be useful for monitoring beach sand and water quality at non-point source beaches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of both indicator microbes and pathogens in beach sand provides one possible explanation for human health effects reported at non-point sources beaches.
authors: University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33124-0630, USA.
authors: A H
authors: AH
authors: Shah
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Abdelzaher
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Phillips
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Hernandez
authors: H M
authors: HM
authors: Solo-Gabriele
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Kish
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Scorzetti
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Fell
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Diaz
authors: T M
authors: TM
authors: Scott
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Lukasik
authors: V J
authors: VJ
authors: Harwood
authors: S
authors: S
authors: McQuaig
authors: C D
authors: CD
authors: Sinigalliano
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Gidley
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Wanless
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ager
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Lui
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Stewart
authors: L R W
authors: LR
authors: Plano
authors: L E
authors: LE
authors: Fleming
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001493:Bathing Beaches; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005431:Florida; D006376:Helminths / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D014871:Water Microbiology; D015003:Yeasts / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide