SEMINAR: AOML Seminar - September 9, 2010 - 3:00 p.m.- Kelly D. Goodwin, Ph.D. - "Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA in California Beach Seawater and Sand"

["Aoml.Receptionist" <Aoml.Receptionist@noaa.gov>]

AOML Seminar

DATE:               Thursday, September 9, 2010

TIME:                3:00 p.m. – refreshments at 2:45 p.m.

LOCATION:     AOML First-Floor Conference

      Room

SPEAKER :       Kelly D. Goodwin, Ph.D.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric  Administration AOML & SWFSC

TITLE :              "Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA  in California Beach Seawater and Sand"

Abstract:  Sand and seawater samples were analyzed for Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from several southern California beaches in order to address public concern regarding exposure risk.  As part of the Pacific Coast Water Study, samples were collected from Avalon, Doheny, and Malibu beaches during summer months.  Membrane filtration followed by incubation on CHROMagar™ Staph aureus (SCA) and CHROMagar™ MRSA (CMRSA) was used to enumerate S. aureus and MRSA, respectively. Performance evaluations of these media showed that SCA and CMRSA provided a good balance of sensitivity (84-85%) and specificity (95-98%) for analysis of S. aureus and MRSA in beach water and sand samples. S. aureus was frequently detected in the beach samples analyzed for this study. MRSA was detected on occasion and at low concentrations.  Significant correlations were found between S. aureus concentrations and temperature, tide, and the number of swimmers.