Recreational Facilities as Reservoirs for Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Antibiotic-resistant pathogens in public settings present a growing risk to human health. Staphylococcus aureus often asymptomatically colonizes human skin, while virulent strains cause soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, and are associated with cystic fibrosis. Here we investigated the presence and distribution of multidrug-resistant S. aureus on exercise equipment in university recreation facilities. Equipment sampled included barbells (n = 10), dumbbell handles (n = 15), kettle bell handles (n = 5), ellipticals (n = 5), treadmills (n = 5), cable attachments (n = 5). Mannitol salt agar, CHROMagar-MRSA, Gram staining and latex agglutination testing were useds to isolate and identify S. aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion assay was utilized to determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Results show 42% of 456 S. aureus isolates from 45 different equipment surfaces were ampicillin resistant. Of 60 representative ampicillin-resistant isolates, 92% were resistant to additional antibiotics with the majority resistant to erythromycin (40%) and sulfisoxazole (75%). Multidrug resistance to three or more drugs was observed in 73% of the ampicillin-resistant subpopulation. These results indicate recreational facilities may serve as reservoirs for multi-drug resistant S. aureus including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and regular disinfection of equipment is warranted for safeguarding public health.