Nasal Carriage of Staphylococci among Health Care Workers and Impact of Conventional Decolonisation Methods

Abstract

Introduction Staphylococci are one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections. The principal route of transmission of Staphylococci is the contaminated hands of health care workers (HCWs). Staphylococci can also be found as part of the nasal microbiota without causing overt disease. So we undertake the present study to estimate the prevalence of asymptomatic nasal carriage of Staphylococci among HCWs and impact of conventional decolonisation methods in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal. Materials and Methods Nasal swabs were collected from anterior nares of HCWs for culture and antibiotic sensitivity test on day one. HCWs who were found to be carriers of Staphylococci were advised to apply mupirocin ointment to anterior nares twice daily along with chlorhexidinegluconate bath once daily for five days. All HCWs were also advised to practice standard hygiene protocol. All of them were re-tested for nasal swab culture and antibiotic sensitivity on day seven and day twenty eight. Results Nasal carriage of Staphylococci in the first, second and third culture report was found to be 64.28%, 7.14% and 24.49% respectively. Cefotaxime, cotrimoxazole and erythromycin were least effective against Staphylococci. There was variable sensitivity to clindamycin, gentamycin and ciprofloxacin. All strains of Staphylococci were highly sensitive to linezolid. All strains of Staphylococci except MRSA were highly sensitive to vancomycin. Conclusion The present study re-establishes the fact that HCWs carry Staphylococci in their nose in significantly high proportion. So different measures should be undertaken to minimise Staphylococci related nosocomial infections.