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Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Shrines
Charu Arjyal1, Jyoti Kc1, Shreya Neupane1
1Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Abstract:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in human beings and animals is concerning; it stands out as one of the leading agents causing nosocomial and community infections. Also, marginally increasing drug resistance in MRSA has limited therapeutic options. This study focuses on estimating the prevalence of MRSA in shrines, a place where human and animal interaction is frequent, sharing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, antibiotic-resistant genes, and diseases. A total of 120 environmental swabs were collected from targeted areas during the study period, March 2018 to May 2018. Staphylococcus aureus was identified by growth on mannitol salt agar (MSA), and MRSA by growth on mannitol salt agar containing 4 μg Oxacillin, Gram staining, and conventional biochemical test. Isolates of S. aureus were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing using the disc diffusion method. MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) proportion were 19% and 81%, respectively; a high rate of MRSA was observed in isolates from Thapathali (28.6%). MSSA isolates showed a high rate of resistance to erythromycin (64.7%). MRSA isolates were resistant to gentamicin (50%), cotrimoxazole (25%), erythromycin (50%), and ciprofloxacin (25%). The isolates were susceptible to linezolid (100%), clindamycin (100%), ciprofloxacin (75%), erythromycin (50%), tetracycline (100%), and cotrimoxazole (75%). Intermediate resistance was also found in gentamicin (50%). Of the 11 MSSA isolates that were erythromycin resistant and clindamycin sensitive, 6 (54.5%) showed the inducible clindamycin resistance (ICR) pattern and 2 MRSA isolates that were erythromycin resistant and clindamycin sensitive showed ICR pattern. Fifteen MSSA isolates were β-lactamase positive, whereas only two MRSA isolates showed β-lactamase production. There exists a minimal research work on infectious diseases that are shared between primates and animals. This study suggests the pervasiveness of MRSA/MSSA in the shrines, which may be a primary place for pathogen exchange between humans and primates.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is prevalent in shrines, posing a risk for pathogen exchange between humans and animals. This study highlights the need for further research into shared infectious diseases in these environments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant cause of healthcare-associated and community infections.
- Increasing antimicrobial resistance in MRSA limits therapeutic choices.
- Shrines represent unique environments with frequent human-animal interactions, potentially facilitating pathogen exchange.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of MRSA in shrine environments.
- To characterize the antibiotic resistance patterns of MRSA and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates.
- To explore the potential role of shrines as sites for pathogen transmission between humans and animals.
Main Methods:
- Environmental swabs were collected from shrines.
- Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA were identified using selective media (mannitol salt agar with oxacillin), Gram staining, and biochemical tests.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disc diffusion method.
Main Results:
- The proportion of MRSA and MSSA isolates was 19% and 81%, respectively.
- A high MRSA rate (28.6%) was found in isolates from Thapathali.
- MRSA isolates showed resistance to gentamicin, cotrimoxazole, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin, but were susceptible to linezolid and tetracycline.
Conclusions:
- Shrines may serve as reservoirs for MRSA and MSSA, increasing the risk of pathogen exchange between humans and animals.
- Understanding pathogen dynamics in shared environments like shrines is crucial for public health.
- Further research is needed on infectious diseases transmissible between primates and animals in such settings.
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