CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOFILM FORMATION ABILITY IN MICROORGANISMS BELONGING TO SWIMMING POOLS’ BIOCENOSES

Background. Ability of representatives of swimming pools' microbiocenoses to form bioflms is a parameter,signifcant for swimming pool visitors' health risk assessment. The aim of the research was to characterize the ability to form bioflms by microorganisms, constituting swimming pools' biocenoses. Material and methods. The ability of 187 strains of microorganisms to form bioflms was investigated by a standard procedure. Results. A total of 73.26±6.47% (p<0.05) of the investigated strains were able to form bioflms with different ability: 41.71±7.21% (p<0.05) – weak ability; 24.06±6.25% (p<0.05) – moderate ability; 7.49±3.85% (p<0.05)– strong bioflm producers. Bioflm producing strains were signifcantly more often found among microorganisms,isolated from shower room walls, than among those isolated from swimming pool hall's walls. Conclusions. The results of the study indicate the presence of the ability to form bioflms in most microorganisms detected in the biocenoses of swimming pools. The ability to form bioflms should be taken into account while planning/ correcting sanitary measures in swimming pools.