Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Colonization among HIV Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus is known to have a significant negative impact on both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals (HIV patients). Aim: This study evaluated the antibiotic susceptibility profile of MRSA staphylococcus aureus isolated from HIV patients attending Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna. Methods: Using sterile wet swabs, within the period of 3 months (January– March 2020), a total of 180 samples were collected from the skin, ear, and nasal cavities of 60 HIV patients who gave their consent to be part of the survey, and S. aureus was isolated. Isolation, bacterial characterization, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were carried out using the methods described by Chesbrough and Kirby-Bauer, respectively. Results: The bacterial isolation rate was 76.7% (138/180) in the samples collected, with 56.5% (78) been Gram positive. The incidences of S. aureus and MRSA were 12.8% and 8.6%, respectively. From the sample sources, the distribution of S. aureus was more in the nostrils, followed by the skin and ear swabs. Resistance was observed against imipenem (86.9%), vancomycin (65.3%), tetracycline (65.3%), and erythromycin (60.9%), while susceptible to ciprofloxacin (60.9%), streptomycin (43.5%), and gentamycin (52.2%). A high percentage (91.3%) of S. aureus were multidrug-resistant and had MARI > 0.2. Conclusion: This study established that high-resistant S. aureus with a possible MRSA gene could be responsible for frequent staphylococcus-associated infections and resistance to treatment among HIV patients in Kaduna, Nigeria. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2023-05-03-03 Full Text: PDF