Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates From Bed Surface Contacts And Bed Sheets Of Surgical Wards In A Secondary Healthcare Facility In Gombe, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become one of the most important human pathogens associated with hospital infections globally. It is responsible for a considerable number of infections but has received inadequate attention in our local communities. Objective: To determine the occurrence of Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from bed contact surfaces and bed sheets in the male and female surgical wards of State Specialist Hospital Gombe, Nigeria. Results: A total of 100 samples were collected purposively for the study. Overall, 79/100 (79%) were positive for S. aureus, and out of these, 42/50(84%) were from the male surgical ward and 37/50 (74%) from the female surgical wards (χ2=1.5, p=0.22). The Male surgical ward bed contact surfaces had the highest S. aureus colonization (92%), and the least affected was the female surgical ward bed contact surfaces (72%), and the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=3.388, p= 0.07). Out of the 79 samples that yielded S. aureus, 56(56%) were positive for MSRA while the remaining 23(23%) were MSSA. Comparing the two wards, we found that the rate of MRSA in the FSW (60%) was higher than that of the MSW (56%), but the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=0.65, p=0.42). The antibiotic sensitivity of the S. aureus isolated from the bed sheet of the MSW was higher (78.3%) compared to those isolated from the bed sheets of the FSW (38.9%) with χ2=6.58 and p value=0.01. However, there was no significant difference in the antibiotic sensitivity to (cefoxitin and ampicillin) of S. aureus isolated from the bed surface contacts of the MSW and FSW. Conclusion: This study reports a high occurrence rate of both S. aureus and the MRSA variant among the two wards studied. Regular fumigation and disinfection may help control the transmission via contact surfaces. Staff training on hospital sanitation and occupational safety will serve as an additional effort to ensure patients and visitors safety.