Authors

Caitlin O'Meara

Document Type

Honors Project

First Advisor

Barbara Long

Degree Award Date

Spring 2006

Keywords

Pseudomonas, Water Bottles, Coolers, Faucets, Hoses, Hydrating, Athletes

Disciplines

Bacteriology | Microbiology

Abstract

Previous studies have noted the high prevalence of P. aeruginosa in hydrotherapy equipment and hospitals. This research increased the employee and patient awareness of P. aeruginosa and other nosocomial pathogens in these environments, which in turn led to greater precautions against infection. However, there has been modest research to date regarding the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in the equipment 2 I and apparatuses used to hydrate athletes. Though the population of immunosuppressed individuals is less in athletic training than in other health-care environments, immunosuppressed athletes do exist and their susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens such as P. aeruginosa should not be overlooked. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in the water coolers, bottles, hoses, sinks and other devices utilized to hydrate athletes in various athletic facilities.

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