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Updated: Sep 6, 2025
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
High Levels of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Carriage Among Healthcare Workers at a Teaching Hospital
Kassu Desta1,2, Eleni Aklillu3, Yirgu Gebrehiwot4
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences (CHS), Addis Ababa University (AAU), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Background:
Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen and causes healthcare and community-acquired infection. Data on the extent of MRSA colonization among health-care workers (HCWs) in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. Hence, we determined the burden of MRSA colonisation among HCWs and administrative staff in Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital (TASH), College of Health Sciences (CHS), Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Methods:
Using a cross-sectional study design, participants were screened for MRSA colonisation between June 2018 and August 2019 using nasal swabs. The swabs were analysed using standard laboratory methods including antibiotic resistance gene, mecA. Anonymised sociodemographic data were collected by pretested questionnaires to evaluate HCWs factors associated with MRSA carriage.
Results:
A total of 588 HCWs and 468 administrative staff were screened for MRSA. Women were over-represented. Overall, 49.1% (289/588) of HCWs were nurses and 25% (117/468) of the administrative staff were cleaners or laundry workers. Overall, 138 S. aureus isolates were retrieved from the nasal swabs of both groups (16.3%, 96/588 from HCWs). The burden of MRSA colonisation was 4.8% (28/580, 95% CI: 3.1-6.5%) among HCWs compared to 0.2% (1/468, 95% CI: 0.18-0.6%) of administrative staff (p value <0.05). The majority of S. aureus and all MRSA isolates were resistant to penicillin. Isolates from HCWs were more resistant to tested antibiotics than administrative staff (P-value <0.05).
Conclusion:
This is the first report in Ethiopia on MRSA colonization using mecA and revealed that; (i) overall carriage rates of MRSA in HCWs are comparable with observations reported in some other countries and (ii) HCWs exhibit a higher burden of MRSA carriage than administrative staff. Our data support strategic screening of MRSA and antimicrobial stewardship for better intervention measures.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization is prevalent in Ethiopian healthcare workers (HCWs), with higher rates than administrative staff. This highlights the need for targeted MRSA screening and antimicrobial stewardship in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant human pathogen causing healthcare and community-acquired infections.
- Limited data exists on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization among health-care workers (HCWs) in sub-Saharan Africa.
- This study addresses the knowledge gap by investigating MRSA colonization in HCWs and administrative staff in Ethiopia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the burden of MRSA colonization among healthcare workers and administrative staff at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) in Ethiopia.
- To identify factors associated with MRSA carriage among these staff groups.
- To provide data for improved intervention strategies against MRSA.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed between June 2018 and August 2019.
- Nasal swabs were collected from 588 HCWs and 468 administrative staff and analyzed for MRSA using standard laboratory methods, including detection of the mecA gene.
- Anonymized sociodemographic data were collected via questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Overall MRSA colonization was 4.8% in HCWs versus 0.2% in administrative staff (p<0.05).
- Nurses constituted the largest group of HCWs (49.1%), and cleaners/laundry workers were the largest group of administrative staff (25%).
- All MRSA isolates were resistant to penicillin, and HCW isolates showed higher resistance to tested antibiotics compared to administrative staff.
Conclusions:
- This is the first report in Ethiopia on MRSA colonization using mecA detection.
- MRSA carriage rates in Ethiopian HCWs are comparable to those reported globally.
- HCWs demonstrate a significantly higher burden of MRSA carriage than administrative staff, underscoring the need for strategic screening and antimicrobial stewardship.
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