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Methicillin and multidrug resistant coagulase negative staphylococcal nasal carriage in medical students

Mahesh C Baragundi, Shivakumar S Solabannavar, Shilpa K Gokale

    The Journal of Communicable Diseases
    |August 23, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are significant pathogens, especially methicillin-resistant CoNS (MRCoNS). Medical students show high nasal carriage rates, increasing with hospital exposure, and MRCoNS exhibit substantial drug resistance, though Linezolid remains effective.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Hospital Epidemiology

    Background:

    • Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are increasingly recognized as significant nosocomial pathogens, particularly in patients with invasive devices.
    • CoNS contribute to the reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes, posing a threat to public health.
    • Understanding carriage rates and resistance patterns is crucial for infection control strategies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the nasal carriage rate of CoNS and methicillin-resistant CoNS (MRCoNS) among medical students.
    • To assess the impact of hospital environment and patient exposure on carriage rates.
    • To evaluate the drug sensitivity patterns of CoNS and MRCoNS isolates.

    Main Methods:

    • Nasal swabs were collected from 104 medical students.
    • CoNS isolation and identification were performed using standard microbiological techniques.
    • Methicillin resistance and antibiotic susceptibility testing were conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CLSI 2011 guidelines.

    Main Results:

    • Overall nasal carriage rates for CoNS and MRCoNS were 63.46% and 18.26%, respectively.
    • MRCoNS carriage was significantly higher in interns (29.28%) compared to earlier year students (<14%).
    • MRCoNS isolates exhibited high-level and multidrug resistance, with all isolates susceptible to Linezolid.

    Conclusions:

    • Medical students have a high nasal carriage rate of CoNS and MRCoNS, with increased MRCoNS carriage linked to hospital exposure.
    • High-level and multidrug resistance are prevalent in MRCoNS isolates, highlighting the need for effective treatment options.
    • Linezolid demonstrates good activity against CoNS, and continuous surveillance, decolonization, and hygiene improvements are recommended to curb MRCoNS transmission.

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