Al-Azhar Assiut Medical Journal (Jan 2018)

Nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among medical residents in Al-Azhar University Hospital, Damietta branch

  • Alaa Eldeen M Hashim,
  • Ali I Ali,
  • Khaled Elmola,
  • Mohammed A Ameen,
  • Hany Awdalla,
  • Ahmed A El hady,
  • Fathia M El raey

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/1687-1693.244149
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 87 – 95

Abstract

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Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common nosocomial pathogen that causes infections among healthcare workers. Objective The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of MRSA among medical residents in different departments of Al-Azhar University Hospital, Damietta branch. Patients and methods Eighty-four medical residents were subjected to a questionnaire that included questions on personal data, occupational experience, antimicrobial intake, infection-control training, and implementation of infection-control programs in the hospital, and a check list that indicated individual adherence to infection-control measures and bacteriological study for isolation and identification of MRSA. Nasal swabs were obtained from 84 residents. The isolates were identified as S. aureus on the basis of morphology, Gram stain, catalase test, coagulase test, mannitol salt agar fermentation, and cefoxitin disc diffusion. Results The overall bacteria-carriage rate among residents was 41 (48.8%). The highest rate was found in ICU [seven (8.3%)], surgery [six (7.1%)], orthopedics [four (4.7%)], and gynecology [four (4.7%)] departments. Nineteen (22.6%) of all infections were S. aureus, 20 (23.8%) were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and two (2.4%) were Streptococcus; 15 (17.9%) S. aureus were MRSA strains, whereas four (4.7%) were methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strains. Thus, the nasal carriage rate of MRSA among the participating residents was 15 (17.2%). The overall MRSA carriage rate among residents was 15 (17.8%). The highest rate was found in neurosurgery [three (3.5%)], ICU [two (2.3%)], surgery [two (2.3%)], cardiothoracic [two (2.3%)], and gynecology [two (2.3%)] departments. There was an insignificant association between age, residence, frequency of antibiotic intake, duration of work, and carriage rate of MRSA among the participating healthcare workers. Conclusion We concluded that it is important to detect the carriers of bacteria and ensure decolonization to reduce the transmission of S. aureus in the hospital.

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