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Staphylococcus aureus: Screening for Nasal Carriers in a Community Setting with Special Reference to MRSA
Yukti Sharma1, Sanjay Jain1, Harshvardhan Singh2
1Department of Microbiology, Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi 110007, India.
Abstract:
Introduction. Emergence of MRSA infections among previously healthy persons in community settings (without exposure to health care facilities) has been noted recently. MRSA infections are now classified as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections. Its colonization is an important risk factor for subsequent MRSA infection. Aims and Objectives. The aim was to screen patients and health care workers for staphylococcal carriage, identify risk factors for MRSA colonization, and determine the sensitivity pattern. Materials and Methods. A total of 200 subjects were screened for nasal carriage after obtaining verbal consent. These were both healthy subjects attending various outpatient departments and health care workers. Specimens were collected from the anterior nares using premoistened sterile cotton swabs and inoculated onto blood agar and mannitol salt agar and incubated at 37°C for 24-48 h. Results. Staphylococcus aureus colonisation was found to be 12% (n = 24). MRSA was identified in 5% (n = 10) which represents 41.66% of SA. A total of 10 strains of MRSA were isolated from 200 subjects, giving an overall positivity rate of 5%. Discussion. Staphylococcal colonization was found to be 12% (MRSA 5%). Fluoroquinolone resistance was remarkable whereas all strains were sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, quinupristin-dalfopristin.
Insights
Community-associated MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) colonization was found in 5% of individuals screened. This highlights the importance of monitoring MRSA carriage in both patients and healthcare workers.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in community settings is a growing concern.
- MRSA infections are now categorized as healthcare-associated (HA-MRSA) and community-associated (CA-MRSA).
- Staphylococcal colonization is a significant risk factor for developing MRSA infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen patients and healthcare workers for staphylococcal carriage.
- To identify risk factors associated with MRSA colonization.
- To determine the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of isolated MRSA strains.
Main Methods:
- 200 subjects (outpatients and healthcare workers) were screened for nasal carriage.
- Nasal swabs were collected and cultured on blood agar and mannitol salt agar.
- Incubation was performed at 37°C for 24-48 hours.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus aureus colonization was detected in 12% of subjects.
- MRSA was identified in 5% of the total subjects, representing 41.66% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates.
- All isolated MRSA strains were sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, and quinupristin-dalfopristin, but showed remarkable fluoroquinolone resistance.
Conclusions:
- The study identified a 5% MRSA colonization rate among the screened population.
- Significant fluoroquinolone resistance was observed in MRSA isolates.
- Vancomycin and other specific antibiotics remain effective against these MRSA strains.
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