Microbial Sequencing Analyses Suggest the Presence of a Fecal Veneer on Indoor Climbing Wall Holds
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Suzanna Brauer Ph.D., Associate Professor (Creator)
- Mary Jane Carmichael (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Abstract: Artifcial climbing walls represent a unique indoor environment in which humans interact closely with a variety of surface types. Climbing wall holds may mediate transmission of organisms between individuals, and yet there are no studies that identify microorganisms present on these surfaces. In the current study, the micro-organisms found on climbing wall holds were characterized by analysis of ampli?ed SSU rRNA gene sequences. In contrast to many other studies of built environments, the majority of microorganisms on holds were most closely related to microbes annotated as being recovered from environmental sources, such as soil, with human skin also representing an important source. Regional patterns were evident as rRNA gene sequences from the marine cyano-bacterium Prochlorococcus were abundant in gyms found within 16 km of the ocean. Enterobacteriaceae were present on 100 % of holds surveyed, and the members detected are commonly associated with fecal matter.
Microbial Sequencing Analyses Suggest the Presence of a Fecal Veneer on Indoor Climbing Wall Holds
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Additional Information
- Publication
- S. L. Brauer,D. Vuono, M. J. Carmichael, C. Pepe-Ranney, A. Strom, E. Rabinowitz, D. H. Buckley & S. H. Zinder (2014) "Microbial Sequencing Analyses Suggest the Presence of a Fecal Veneer on Indoor Climbing Wall Holds" Current MicroBiology Volume 69 Issue 5 pp. 681-689 Version of Record Available From www.academia.edu
- Language: English
- Date: 2014
- Keywords
- Resistant Staphylococcus-Aureus, Football Team, United-States, Diversity, Community, Transmission, Environment, Infections, Bacteria, Hands