Nasal Carriage of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) Mrsa) among Medical And Non-medical Students of Sheikhan-polytechnique College And Technical Institute, Iraq

Abstract

Background and Aims In population, Staphylococcus aureus is present in the nasal vestibule of 35%-50% and one tenth of these are methicillin resistant S aureus (MRSA). This study aimed to investigates the prevalence of MRSA nasal carriage among students of Sheikhan-Polytechnique College (Public health and Medical laboratory technology Department) and Technical Institute (TI). Methods: During December 2018 to February 2019 data collection has been achieved. About 150 students are screened, 66 were males and 84 females with age ranged (18-24 years).  A cross-sectional study was conducted and 150 nasal swabs were taken from students groups of several grades in various departments (Public Health, Medical laboratory technology and IT department). The   samples were examined through standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility tests for all isolates were checked for methicillin resistance using disk diffusion agar. Molecular characterization using PCR test targeting mecA gene was studied. Results: The overall prevalence of MRSA was 27(18%), (12 males and 15   females). High prevalence found among public health students 12/27(44.4%) followed by information technology 9/27(33.3%) and less 6/27(22.2) cases in laboratory technology students. Students of first grade followed by second grade of various departments recorded high rates than third and fourth grade (12, 9, 3 and 3, respectively). Moreover, MRSA was higher among those students that live within their family 19/27(70.3%) than those that live in hostels 8/27(29.6%) and negative in those that live with family relatives. Out of 28 MRSA isolate 14(51.8%) were positive for mecA gene and public health students accounted more carriage 8/14 (57.1%). Conclusions:  This study highlighted that students of several grades of medical study are more carriers and should admit enough information concerning control measures to limit contaminate with this pathogen