Evaluation of culture media for Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus recovery in swimming pools

S. aureus and C. albicans have been proposed as alternative indicators in swimming pools, so the upgrade of methods for detection of these microorganisms can provide better assessment of pool water quality. A total of 136 water samples collected from 25 public swimming pools in the city of São Paulo, Brazil were analyzed concerning the sensitivity and specificity of culture media in the recovery of S. aureus and C. albicans. For S. aureus, MF technique was applied, and five culture media were tested: Chapman-Stone, Chapman-mannitol, Baird-Parker, Vogel-Johnson and m-Staphylococcus agar. Typical colonies were characterized by catalase and coagulase activities and glucose and mannitol fermentation. Analysis of C. albicans was performed by quantitative (MF technique, m-CA agar) and qualitative (yeast nitrogen base glucose) procedures. Isolates from both procedures were characterized by germ tube and chlamydospore production and sugar assimilation. The superiority of m-CA agar with an accuracy level of 89.6% in C. albicans recovery was shown. In relation to S. aureus, Baird-Parker presented an increase in recovery from 5.7 to 17.2% than the other media. However, none of the media tested were sufficiently differential to permit the accurate identification of S. aureus in swimming pool waters.