Epidemiology of purulent-septic infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Staphylococcus infections are a major global concern, caused by the annual growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus strains and the emergence of strains resistant to reserve anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors, the degree of spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) strains in health care facilities in the Republic of Moldova, as well as their resistance to antibacterial drugs. Material and methods: The research of the real incidence, epidemiological peculiarities and the degree of sensitivity/resistance of MRS infections to antibiotics was performed based on the descriptive cross-sectional observational epidemiological study, overall being analyzed 10,055 staphylococcal strains. The risk factors and socio-economic impact were determined based on a retrospective case-control study. The research group included 269 patients with bacteriological investigations positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS), the control group - 159 patients with bacteriological investigations positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus (MSS). Results: The share of MRS strains among Staphylococcus strains in the Republic of Moldova is on average 35.97%. A higher level of spread of MRS strains is recorded in maternity hospitals - 61.81%, followed by multi-profile health care facilities - 36.32%, slightly lower in rural health care facilities - 22.36%. The prevalence of MRS strains varied depending on the profile of departments and pathological products. Most often, MRS strains were isolated from patients in the departments of surgery, traumatology, orthopedics, resuscitation and intensive care. A high level of MRS was found in blood cultures - 76.11%, and 96.3% of MRS strains isolated from blood proved to be polyresistant.