Microbiological Hygiene Quality of Thermal Muds: A Pilot Study in Pelotherapy Facilities of the Euganean Thermal District (NE Italy)

Tatjana Baldovin, Irene Amoruso, Fabrizio Caldara, Alessandra Buja, Vincenzo Baldo, Silvia Cocchio and Chiara Bertoncello
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Tatjana Baldovin: Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Unit of Hygiene and Public Health, University of Padua, Via L. Loredan, 18-35131 Padua, Italy
Irene Amoruso: Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Unit of Hygiene and Public Health, University of Padua, Via L. Loredan, 18-35131 Padua, Italy
Fabrizio Caldara: Pietro d’Abano Center for Thermal Studies, Via Jappelli, 5-35031 Abano Terme (PD), Italy
Alessandra Buja: Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Unit of Hygiene and Public Health, University of Padua, Via L. Loredan, 18-35131 Padua, Italy
Vincenzo Baldo: Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Unit of Hygiene and Public Health, University of Padua, Via L. Loredan, 18-35131 Padua, Italy
Silvia Cocchio: Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Unit of Hygiene and Public Health, University of Padua, Via L. Loredan, 18-35131 Padua, Italy
Chiara Bertoncello: Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Unit of Hygiene and Public Health, University of Padua, Via L. Loredan, 18-35131 Padua, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-15

Abstract: Evaluation of hygienic aspects of thermal mud microbiology is still neglected. This study evaluates the microbiological hygiene quality of thermal muds, providing a comprehensive assessment of the whole mud cultivation chain. Maturing mud, peloid and used mud samples were collected twice in a year from 30 SPAs of the Euganean Thermal District, NE Italy. Samples were processed with an ad hoc laboratory method. The following indicator parameters were assessed: Total Count at 22, 37 and 55 °C; total coliforms; Escherichia coli ; enterococci; Staphylococcus aureus ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; sulfite-reducing clostridia; dermatophytes. Statistical significance of differences between the two sampling campaigns and correlation between temperature and indicator parameters were evaluated. One-hundred eighty samples were analyzed. Widespread presence of environmental species was found, as well as hints of possible microorganism transfer from the patient’s skin to the mud. Proper setting of thermal water temperature resulted critical, in terms of hygienic quality. Although optimal maturation should be granted (thermal water at 30–42 °C), a pasteurization step at 60–65 °C is strongly recommended to sanitize peloids before pelotherapy. Facilities re-using thermal muds should also implement a regeneration step at ≥65 °C. Core evaluation of thermal mud hygienic quality could encompass the following guidelines: absence (i.e., 0 colony forming units (CFU)/g) of E. coli , P. aeruginosa , S. aureus and dermatophytes.

Keywords: thermal mud; pelotherapy; peloids; SPA; microbiological quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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