Beach sand and the potential for infectious disease transmission: observations and recommendations

Helena M Solo-Gabriele; Valerie J Harwood; David Kay; Roger S Fujioka; Michael J Sadowsky; Richard L Whitman; Andrew Wither; Manuela Caniça; Rita Carvalho da Fonseca; Aida Duarte; Thomas A Edge; Maria J Gargaté; Nina Gunde-Cimerman; Ferry Hagen; Sandra L McLellan; Alexandra Nogueira da Silva; Monika Novak Babič; Susana Prada; Raquel Rodrigues; Daniela Romão; Raquel Sabino; Robert A Samson; Esther Segal; Christopher Staley; Huw D Taylor; Cristina Veríssimo; Carla Viegas; Helena Barroso; João C Brandão

doi:10.1017/S0025315415000843

Journal article

Beach sand and the potential for infectious disease transmission: observations and recommendations

Helena M Solo-Gabriele, Valerie J Harwood, David Kay, Roger S Fujioka, Michael J Sadowsky, Richard L Whitman, Andrew Wither, Manuela Caniça, Rita Carvalho da Fonseca, Aida Duarte, …

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Vol.96(1), pp.101-120

2016-02

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315415000843

Abstract

Beach sand

microbes

bacteria

fungi

Recent studies suggest that sand can serve as a vehicle for exposure of humans to pathogens at beach sites, resulting in increased health risks. Sampling for microorganisms in sand should therefore be considered for inclusion in regulatory programmes aimed at protecting recreational beach users from infectious disease. Here, we review the literature on pathogen levels in beach sand, and their potential for affecting human health. In an effort to provide specific recommendations for sand sampling programmes, we outline published guidelines for beach monitoring programmes, which are currently focused exclusively on measuring microbial levels in water. We also provide background on spatial distribution and temporal characteristics of microbes in sand, as these factors influence sampling programmes. First steps toward establishing a sand sampling programme include identifying appropriate beach sites and use of initial sanitary assessments to refine site selection. A tiered approach is recommended for monitoring. This approach would include the analysis of samples from many sites for faecal indicator organisms and other conventional analytes, while testing for specific pathogens and unconventional indicators is reserved for high-risk sites. Given the diversity of microbes found in sand, studies are urgently needed to identify the most significant aetiological agent of disease and to relate microbial measurements in sand to human health risk.

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.246 Diarrheal Diseases; 1.246.1380 Microbial Source Tracking
Web Of Science research areas: Marine & Freshwater Biology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science

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Title: Beach sand and the potential for infectious disease transmission: observations and recommendations
Creators: Helena M Solo-Gabriele - 1University of Miami Center for Oceans and Human Health, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA
Valerie J Harwood - 3Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, SCA 110, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA
David Kay - 4Centre for Research into Environment and Health, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY24 3DB, UK
Roger S Fujioka - 5Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Michael J Sadowsky - 6Department of Soil, Water, & Climate, and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
Richard L Whitman - 7Former Chief, Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station, USGS, 1088 N 350 E., Chesterton, IN 46304, USA
Andrew Wither - 8National Oceanography Centre, Liverpool L3 5DA, UK
Manuela Caniça - 9National Reference Laboratory for Antibiotic Resistances – Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
Rita Carvalho da Fonseca - 11Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Aida Duarte - 12Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Av. Professor Gama Pinto1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
Thomas A Edge - 13Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Environment Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6, Canada
Maria J Gargaté - 14Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections – Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Nina Gunde-Cimerman - 15Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ferry Hagen - 16Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Sandra L McLellan - 17School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
Alexandra Nogueira da Silva - 18Lab. Microbiology, ADEIM – Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Av. Professor Gama Pinto 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
Monika Novak Babič - 15Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Susana Prada - 19Center of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada 9000-390 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Raquel Rodrigues - 21Laboratory of Microbiology – Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Daniela Romão - 14Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections – Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Raquel Sabino - 14Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections – Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Robert A Samson - 22CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
Esther Segal - 23Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv, University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel
Christopher Staley - 6Department of Soil, Water, & Climate, and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
Huw D Taylor - 24Environment & Public Health Research Unit, School of the Environment & Technology, University of Brighton, Cockcroft Building, Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK
Cristina Veríssimo - 14Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections – Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Carla Viegas - 25Environmental Health RG – Lisbon School of Health Technology – Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Av. D. João II, Lote 4.69.01, 1990-096 Lisboa, Portugal
Helena Barroso - 26Interdisciplinary Research Centre Egas Moniz (CiiEm), Institute of Health Sciences Egas Moniz (ISCSEM) Campus, Monte de Caparica, 2829-511, Portugal
João C Brandão - 14Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections – Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Publication Details: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Vol.96(1), pp.101-120
Publisher: Cambridge University Press; Cambridge, UK
Number of pages: 20
Academic Unit: College of Engineering; CoE - Civil Arch & Env Engineering
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article
Record Identifier: 991031575424002976