title: High numbers of Staphylococcus aureus at three bathing beaches in South Florida.
abstract: While the value of Staphylococcus aureus as an indicator for non-enteric diseases is unclear, understanding its prevalence in recreational beaches would prove useful, given its pathogenic potential. Staphylococcus aureus levels were evaluated in sand and seawater at three beaches during one year. To elucidate possible S. aureus sources or colonization trends, distribution in sand was analyzed at Hollywood Beach. Staphylococcus aureus levels fluctuated throughout the study with highest average densities detected in dry sand (3.46 × 10⁵ CFU/g, Hobie Beach), particularly at beaches with high human density. Patchy distribution marked hotspots of human use and/or possible bacterial re-growth. Data from a brief epidemiological survey indicated a very slight association between beach usage and skin conditions; suggesting high S. aureus levels in sand may not necessarily constitute major health risks. Because the possibility of disease transmission exists, particularly to children and immuno-compromised beach-goers, periodic surveying of highly frequented beaches seems warranted.
authors.affiliation: Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 3200 College Ave, Davie, FL 33314, USA. nesiobu@fau.edu
authors.forename: Nwadiuto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Esiobu
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Echeverry
authors.forename: Tonya D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Bonilla
authors.forename: Corine Melanie
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Stinson
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hartz
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rogerson
authors.forename: Donald S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: McCorquodale
mesh_terms: D001493:Bathing Beaches / Q000592:standards*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D012822:Silicon Dioxide