Volume: 3, 2024
3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: H001
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.H001
Published online: 24 April 2024
ICDSUPL, 3, H001 (2024)
Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus in playgrounds in Lublin
Anna Bilokinna1*, Aleksandra Niziołek1, Ilona Sadok2, Rafał Łopucki3, Marcin Skowronek3
1 Biotechnology Scientific Club of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Faculty of Medicine, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynow 1I, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynow 1J, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
3 Department of Biomedicine and Environmental Research, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynow 1J, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: annabilokinna@gmail.com
Abstract
Playgrounds facilitate children’s progress in various fields by allowing them to unconsciously develop skills and encouraging physical activity and socialization. On the other hand, playing on the playgrounds can pose the risk of injuries and infectious diseases, particularly microbial infections resulting from non-compliance with hygiene rules. Here, we presented data obtained during the evaluation prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in public playgrounds located in Lublin (Poland). Materials and methods: The study enrolled 33 public playgrounds. From each playground, at least 10 different samples were collected during the summer season. There were swabs from playground equipment, sand from sandboxes, and soil. Bacteria were cultivated on ChromID S. aureus Elite plates (bioMerieux) and incubated for 48-72 h. The Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry technique (MALDI-TOF MS) was used for the identification of isolates. The acquired mass spectra were evaluated using Biotyper Bruker software. The scores of ≥2.0 were accepted for identification to the species level, and stores in the range of 1.7-2.0 were accepted for genus assignment. Scores below 1.7 were considered unreliable. Results with discussion: Playground equipment and surface materials as well as sand from sandpits might be contaminated with different bacteria. Children are particularly vulnerable to severe health consequences when exposed to pathogens. The basic exposure pathways involve random direct soil ingestion from handmouth, hand-nose, and hand-eye contact. During the study, we collected 15 isolates of bacteria, which have grown on the chromogenic agar. Especially, pink-colored colonies were suspected to belong to S. aureus. Twelve isolates were assigned to S. aureus with the acceptable special level (score ≥2.0). The rest belonged to S. stimulants, S. scuri, S. pseudintermedius. They are delivered from plastic elements of spring rocker and swings, metal elements of ladder and slides, and wooden bench. Conclusions: The occurrence of S. aureus on randomly selected playground equipment was confirmed. Public playgrounds should be monitored for pathogenic bacteria contamination.
The project is financed by the Minister of Education and Science under “Student Science Clubs Create Innovations” (SKN/SP/570395/2023).
Keywords: playgrounds, Staphylococcus aureus, bacteria, MALDI-TOF MS
How to cite
A. Bilokinna, A. Niziołek, I. Sadok, R. Łopucki, M. Skowronek, 2024. Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus in playgrounds in Lublin. In: 3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.H001