Prevalence of Staphylococcal Nasal Carriage Among Health Care Worker Working in Intensive and Critical Care Units of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Incidence of hospital-acquired infection by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (MRCoNS) continues to increase worldwide. Nasal carriage of Staphylococci plays an important role in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of hospital-acquired infection. They are usually introduced into the health care set up by a colonized or infected patient or health care workers (HCWs). Patients admitted to a critical care unit or intensive care unit have an increased chance of infection by these pathogens. Health care providers colonizing MRSA and MRCoNS may help in the transmission and spread of infection. Objective: To determine the prevalence of staphylococcal nasal carriage among HCWs working in intensive and critical care units of a tertiary care hospital and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates. Result: One hundred and fifty nasal swabs were collected, 58 were from the nursing staff, 41 from doctors, and 51 were from other supporting staff. Samples from both anterior nares were collected using sterile cotton swabs, and cultured on mannitol salt agar. S. aureus and CoNS were identified by standard methods. Methicillin resistance was detected by cefoxitin disc. Of the 150 healthcare providers screened 31 (20.67%) were nasal carriers of S. aureus, 17 (11.33%) for MRSA, 81 (54%) harbored CoNS and 12 (8%) were MRCoNS. Conclusion: HCWs are the potential colonizers of MRSA and MRCoNS. They may serve as reservoirs and disseminators of MRSA and MRCoNS and should be treated with appropriate drugs. Regular screening of carriers is also required for the prevention of hospital-acquired infection. Keywords: Nasal Carriers, Health care worker, Methicillin­resistant Staphylococcus