Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
The Relationship between Nasal Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and Surgical Site Infections in a Hospital Center in
Rachid Flouchi1,2, Abderrahim Elmniai3,4, Abdelaziz Hibatallah5
1Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Science and Technologies Faculty, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.
Background:
Surgical site infection is a major public health problem in the world. Nasal carriage is a major risk factor for the development of nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus infection, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Our work aims to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and the associated risk factors and to evaluate their sensitivity to 27 antibiotics.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 patients, hospitalized in preoperative care of surgery units at the Taza Provincial Hospital Center in the Fez-Meknes region, from January to June 2019. Samples were taken from the patient's anterior nostril using single-use sterile dry or wet cotton swabs and then analyzed in the Provincial Public Health Laboratory in Taza. The carriage of Staphylococcus aureus was studied by conventional bacteriological methods by spreading nasal swabs on Chapman culture medium, while antibiotic resistance was determined by the Mueller-Hinton agar disc diffusion method according to the recommendations described by the Antibiogram Committee of the French Society of Microbiology 2019 (CA SFM 2019).
Results:
Of the 84 patients found to be positive, 45.24% had coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus and 54.76% had coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. After surgery in the postoperative phase, 16 patients developed surgical site infections, of which two had a negative nasal culture and 14 had positive nasal culture. Among the Staphylococcus aureus-positive patients, 36.84% were colonized by a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 63.16% by a methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Of these, 57.14% of MRSA colonized patients developed an infection of the surgical site and 42.85% showed no sign of SSI, while for patients colonized by MSSA, 16.67% developed SSI and 83.33% showed no sign of SSI. Moreover, children were the most affected by MRSA. Concerning antibiotic sensitivity, multiresistance of MRSA to more than 3 antibiotics has been found.
Conclusion:
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study carried out in this hospital center with the aim of knowing the prevalence of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA and to identify the risk factors in order to prevent infections related to nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA.
Insights
Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is a significant risk factor for surgical site infections. This study found MRSA colonization increases infection risk, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major global health concern.
- Nasal carriage of *Staphylococcus aureus*, especially methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (MRSA), is a primary risk factor for nosocomial infections.
- Understanding prevalence and risk factors is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of *Staphylococcus aureus* and MRSA nasal carriage in hospitalized patients.
- To identify associated risk factors for *Staphylococcus aureus* and MRSA colonization.
- To evaluate the antibiotic sensitivity of *Staphylococcus aureus* and MRSA isolates.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 100 patients in preoperative care at Taza Provincial Hospital Center (January-June 2019).
- Nasal swabs collected and analyzed for *Staphylococcus aureus* using conventional bacteriological methods.
- Antibiotic resistance determined via disc diffusion method (CA SFM 2019 guidelines).
Main Results:
- Of 84 positive cultures, 45.24% were coagulase-positive *Staphylococcus aureus* and 54.76% coagulase-negative *Staphylococcus*.
- Among *Staphylococcus aureus*-positive patients, 36.84% carried MRSA and 63.16% carried MSSA.
- MRSA carriers had a significantly higher rate of developing SSIs (57.14%) compared to MSSA carriers (16.67%). Children were most affected by MRSA. MRSA isolates showed multi-drug resistance.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first in the region to assess *Staphylococcus aureus* and MRSA nasal carriage prevalence and risk factors.
- Nasal carriage of *S. aureus* and MRSA is a significant risk factor for SSIs.
- Findings emphasize the need for targeted prevention strategies to mitigate infections linked to nasal carriage.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:28Asepsis