In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 4 ( 2022-4-12), p. e0266749-
Abstract:
Children may be at higher risk for swimming-associated illness following exposure to fecally-contaminated recreational waters. We analyzed a pooled data set of over 80,000 beachgoers from 13 beach sites across the United States to compare risks associated with the fecal indicator bacteria Enterococcus spp. (measured by colony forming units, CFU and quantitative polymerase chain reaction cell equivalents, qPCR CE) for different age groups across different exposures, sites and health endpoints. Methods Sites were categorized according to the predominant type of fecal contamination (human or non-human). Swimming exposures of varying intensity were considered according to degree of contact and time spent in the water. Health endpoints included gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms and skin rashes. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk of illness as a function of fecal contamination in water as measured by Enterococcus spp. among the exposed groups. Non-swimmers (those who did not enter the water) were excluded from the models to reduce bias and facilitate comparison across groups. Results Gastrointestinal symptoms were the most sensitive health endpoint and strongest associations were observed with Enterococcus qPCR CE at sites impacted by human fecal contamination. Under several exposure scenarios, associations between illness and Enterococcus spp. levels were significantly higher among children compared to adolescents and adults. Respiratory symptoms were also associated with Enterococcus spp. exposures among young children at sites affected by human fecal sources, although small sample sizes resulted in imprecise estimates for these associations. Conclusion Under many exposure scenarios, children were at higher risk of illness associated with exposure to fecal contamination as measured by the indicator bacteria Enterococcus spp. The source of fecal contamination and the intensity of swimming exposure were also important factors affecting the association between Enterococcus spp. and swimming-associated illness.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g010
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g011
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.g012
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s010
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s011
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s012
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s013
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s014
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s015
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s016
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s017
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s018
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s019
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s020
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s021
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s022
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s023
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0266749.s024
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
Permalink