Prevalence and Factors Associated with Wound Colonisation by Staphylococcus Species at Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The Staphylococcus species do not directly cause infection but invade an already existing wound and causing extensive tissue necrosis and enlarging an already existing wound. The human host factor plays a major role in the pathogenesis by making a suitable environment for pathogens, like diabetic mellitus, hypertension, and so on. The emergence of methicillin resistant strains worsens the clinical output and very few therapeutic alternatives are left to treat such infections. Aim: The present study was attempted to see the relation of Staphylococcus species with host factors among wound infections. Materials and Methods: The specimens taken from various types of wound infection were screened for Staphylococcus species as per standard microbiological guidelines. The clinical history of the patients were taken from the ‘patient’s case record form’ and Medical Record Department (MRD) section. The data was statistically analysed, p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 421 Staphylococcus species were isolated from various clinical samples, out of which 159 (37.7%) were isolated from wound infections. Of which 142 (89.3%) were S.aureus and 17 (10.7%) were S.epidermidis. Diabetic mellitus 29 (18.2%) and hypertension 11 (7%) were found to be a major host factor facilitating the infection. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was 100 (62.9%) while Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) was not found in the single strain. Inducible clindamycin resistant strains among wound infection were found to be 58 (36.5%). Conclusion: Staphylococcal wound infections should be carefully treated to prevent microbial spread especially in immune-compromised patients, better patient recovery, and reducing healthcare costs.

Keywords

• chronic wounds
• co-morbidities
• methicillin resistant
• staphylococcus aureus