title: Staphylococcus aureus and community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in and around therapeutic whirlpools in college athletic training rooms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has become a leading cause of skin and soft tissue infection in the nonhospitalized community. Care of the athletes in athletic training rooms is specifically designed with equipment tailored to the health care needs of the athletes, yet recent studies indicate that CA-MRSA is still prevalent in athletic facilities and that cleaning methods may not be optimal.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and CA-MRSA in and around whirlpools in the athletic training room.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I university.
  
  
  METHODS
  Student-athletes (n = 109) consisting of 46 men (42%) and 63 women (58%) representing 6 sports.
  
  
  METHODS
  Presence of MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus in and around the whirlpool structures relative to sport and number of athletes using the whirlpools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified Staphylococcus aureus in 22% (n = 52/240) of the samples and MRSA in 0.8% (n = 2/240). A statistically significant difference existed between the number of athletes using the whirlpool and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in and around the whirlpools (F(2,238) = 2.445, P = .007). However, Staphylococcus aureus was identified regardless of whether multiple athletes used a whirlpool or no athletes used a whirlpool. We did not identify a relationship between the number of athletes who used a whirlpool and Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA density (P = .134).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA were identified in and around the whirlpools. Transmission of the bacteria can be reduced by following the cleaning and disinfecting protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Athletic trainers should use disinfectants registered by the Environmental Protection Agency to sanitize all whirlpools between uses.
authors.affiliation: Indiana State University, Terre Haute. Dr Kahanov is now at College of Health Sciences, Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. Young Kyun Kim, MA, is now at Moungji University, Yong-in, South Korea.
authors.forename: Leamor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kahanov
authors.forename: Young Kyun
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eberman
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dannelly
authors.forename: Haninder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramalinga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004202:Disinfectants; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013334:Students; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants
keywords: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations; cleaning; infections; sanitizing