Microflora in External Auditory Canals of Recreational Scuba-Divers and Swimmers Related to the Tropical Waterflora of a Coral Island

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 187-193
Author(s):  
T. Haider ◽  
R. Sommer ◽  
G. Stanek
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
External Auditory Canal ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Lagoon Water ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Tropical Coral ◽  
Coral Island ◽  
Recreational Scuba ◽  
The Tropics

Recent studies described the acute diffuse external otitis frequently observed in recreational scuba-divers and swimmers in the tropics. In this study the microflora of the external auditory canal of 90 persons was determined. Additionally, a group of 17 persons was examined before, during and at the end of a two weeks vacation on a tropical coral island as well as three months after. Further, samples from sea, lagoon water and the water supplies used for the showers were microbiologically examined. 14 different and fecultatively pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from the external auditory canals. We found a temporary colonization with those microorganisms during the two weeks. Above all Pseudomonas aeruginosa was predominant during and at the end of the vacation especially in children. Before the vacation and three months after P. aeruginosa could not be found. The samples of sea and lagoon waters did not seem to be noticeably polluted, whereas the samples of the water supply were extremely contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was concluded that besides indirect factors such as tropical climate and intensive exposition to water, the insufficient treatment of the water from the supply could also be a reason for the temporary microbiological colonization of the external auditory canal.

scholarly journals Effects of Wollastonia biflora expansion on the soil seed bank in native forest communities on a tropical coral island

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. e01403
Author(s):  
Yao Huang ◽  
Hai Ren ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Nan Liu ◽  
Shuguang Jian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Tropical Coral ◽  
Coral Island

Decompression Sickness in Women Recreational Scuba Divers

1999 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Jacalyn J. Robert
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Decompression Sickness ◽  
Scuba Diving ◽  
Training Center ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Recreational Sport ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Hyperbaric Environment ◽  
Recreational Scuba

Recreational sport diving is becoming an increasingly popular sport for women. Women now comprise approximately 25% of the diving community according to Divers Alert Network statistics. In the diving literature it has been stated that women are at a greater risk for decompression sickness than men. Most of these statements were derived from high-altitude (hypobaric environment) studies rather than from a scuba diving (hyperbaric) environment. Data from the naval diving and salvage training center were analyzed, and it was found that women are not more susceptible to decompression sickness than men during dives between 4 and 10 atmospheres. More specific studies on sport diving should be completed on factors contributing to underwater decompression sickness in both men and women.

scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors as biomarkers of infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur J. Sabat ◽  
Daniele Pantano ◽  
Viktoria Akkerboom ◽  
Erik Bathoorn ◽  
Alexander W. Friedrich
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Bacterial Identification ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Culture Independent ◽  
And Staphylococcus Aureus

Abstract The gold standard for the diagnosis of bacterial infections in clinical samples is based on culture tests that are time-consuming and labor-intense. For these reasons, an extraordinary effort has been made to identify biomarkers as the tools for sensitive, rapid and accurate identification of pathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, biomarkers have been tested to distinguish colonization from infection, monitor disease progression, determine the clinical status of patients or predict clinical outcomes. This mini-review describes Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus biomarkers, which contribute to pathogenesis and have been used in culture-independent bacterial identification directly from patient samples.

Why is the Sea Blue?

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas N. Sherratt ◽  
David M. Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Euphotic Zone ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
High School Physics ◽  
Rich Diversity ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Great White Shark ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Tropics

One answer to this chapter’s question is straightforward and based on high-school physics. The early SCUBA divers quickly discovered that if they took underwater colour photographs, even if they were only a few metres down, their pictures had a strong blue cast to them. However, if they illuminated their subjects with a flash, then a more colourful world emerged in their pictures—especially if they were photographing the rich diversity of highly coloured fish that can be found in some parts of the tropics. The reason for the blueness is that as sunlight passes through water the colours of the spectrum are absorbed at different rates, with the long wavelengths (e.g. red) absorbed first and the higher-energy shorter wavelengths (e.g. blue) penetrating deeper into the depths. It follows that underwater available light is predominantly blue and that any light reflected from within the water body is more likely to be from the bluer end of the spectrum of visible light. So, light coming from the sea to our eyes is mainly blue because these wavelengths are least absorbed; indeed oceanographers who have studied some of the cleanest waters describe them as looking ‘violet blue’. As biologists we are interested in a more ecological answer to the question, ‘Why is the sea blue’? The physics explanation only works if seawater is reasonably clear, and it is this clarity that biologists need to explain. Consider our opening quotation, which comes from Peter Matthiessen’s book describing early attempts to film the great white shark in its natural habitat. It raises an interesting ecological question—why can a SCUBA diver or snorkeler see where they are going in the ocean? Put another way, why is the sea blue rather than green? The upper layer of the ocean with enough light for photosynthesis is called the euphotic zone (defined as extending down to the point where only 1% of photosynthetically usable light is present compared with surface light levels); this is often only a few tens of metres deep, but in extremely clear water near Easter Island in the Pacific it has recently been found to extend down to 170 m depth.

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