Evaluation of MRSA Colonization Epidemiology before and after Practical Training in Hospitals and Healthcare Settings among Health Profession Students in Hong Kong

Cheung Tk

doi:10.16966/2469-6714.125

Abstract

Evaluation of MRSA Colonization Epidemiology before and after Practical Training in Hospitals and Healthcare Settings among Health Profession Students in Hong Kong

Highlights

Staphylococcus aureus has been a leading cause of nosocomial infections for the past century which has known to cause infections ranging from mild skin infections to life-threatening septicemia [1]
In the investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in MLS students before and after practicum, it is shown in table 1 that eleven S. aureus isolates were found among the fifteen individuals before they go into clinical training, in which four (36%) of them are sensitive to cefoxitin and contains only nuc gene and seven (64%) of them are resistant to cefoxitin and contains both nuc and mec A genes
In the samples after they return from practical training, four of the subjects were found to be colonized by S. aureus and all of them are resistant to cefoxitin and contains both nuc and mec A genes

Summary

Introduction

Staphylococcus aureus has been a leading cause of nosocomial infections for the past century which has known to cause infections ranging from mild skin infections to life-threatening septicemia [1]. The bacteria can be spread through direct contact with infected individuals and/or contaminated objects. It can be inhaled as droplets from coughing or sneezing as well [2]. MRSA are strains of Staphylococcus aureus which are resistant to β-lactams, a group of antibiotics that includes penicillin and its derivatives such as methicillin. Its resistance to methicillin is contributed by the presence of mec a gene, which codes for a penicillinbinding protein, PBP2a. This altered version of protein has a lower affinity for β-lactams, making the bacteria resistant to the attack of this class of antibiotics [3]. To tackle MRSA infections, clinicians have turned to vancomycin, an antibiotic belonging to the group of theglycopeptide [4]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion