Nasal Carriage Rate and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of MethicillinResistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) among Health Care Workers in Tanta University Hospital

Abstract

Background: MRSA is the most commonly known antimicrobial-resistant organism in hospitals worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed to detect the prevalence of MRSA carriage and its antibiogram among HCWs in Tanta University hospitals to improve infection control and preventive measures. Methodology: 223 nasal swabs from HCWs were inoculated onto Mannitol salt agar. Detection of MRSA was performed phenotypically using cefoxitin disc diffusion test on Muller–Hinton agar plates. Confirmation of MRSA was done by determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oxacillin by using E Test Strips. Results: Amongst the HCWs, 88 doctors and 135 nurses were randomly selected. The overall frequency of S. aureus nasal carriage was 129/223. Of the 129 S. aureus isolates, (17%) were MRSA. Internal medicine had a high proportion of MRSA positive (36.4%). (63.6%) of the MRSA positive HCWs had a history of using antibiotics during the past 3 months. A high frequency (77.3%) of MRSA was detected among nurses. (50%) HCWs with 5:10 years of working experience were colonized with MRSA. Conclusion: Multi-drug resistant organisms such as MRSA are a major public health challenge. Colonized HCWs are asymptomatic carriers and can transmit MRSA to vulnerable patients. To control the transmission of MRSA in hospitals, multidisciplinary efforts are recommended to implement and improve infection control policies.