Application of real-time PCR to Pseudomonas aeruginosa monitoring in a public swimming pool

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is an opportunistic pathogen that can be found in recreational water, often in form of biofilm, thus more resistant to disinfection procedures. Microbiological testing for Pa is included in monitoring practices recommended by WHO to swimming pool managers as internal control. Since a persistent contamination with low levels of Pa was found in a local indoor swimming pool, the efficacy of a method in real-time PCR was evaluated, in comparison with the reference method UNI EN ISO 16266:2008, to promptly locate the contamination site within the water treatment system and proceed with disinfection. Results indicated the higher sensitivity of the molecular detection, able to give definite results with a consistent reduction of analysis time (2 days vs 4-5 of the reference method). In conclusion, real-time PCR can be a useful, rapid and sensitive tool, for the control of microbiological risk in public swimming pool.