Study of Nasal Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus with Special Reference to Methicillin Resistance among Nursing Staff

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a major cause of nosocomial infections and more prevalent in the community settings. Objectives: To determine the frequency of nasal carriage of S. aureus and MRSA among nursing staff and to assess the Antibiogram profile of isolated strains of S. aureus with special reference to methicillin sensitivity. Material and methods: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in Department of Microbiology, Krishna Institute of medical sciences, Karad in the year 2015. By purposive sampling technique, a total of 50 nursing staff was enrolled and the specimens were collected from their anterior nairs and sent for isolation and Antibiotic susceptibility testing in microbiology laboratory as per Standards. The data were complied and analyzed for prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (carrier state) and significant association. Results: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (carrier state) was 52% observed in hospital nursing staff. The frequency of isolates of S. aureus in female and male staff observed was 16 and 10 respectively. The proportion of MRSA reported in male and female staff was 20% and 43.75% respectively with overall of 34.61%. A higher percentage of resistance by MRSA was shown to Penicillin, Oxacillin and Cefoxitin i.e. 100% followed by Levofloxacin (55.5%), Tetracycline (50%), Trimethoprim/Sulphamethoxazole (44%), Clindamycin (33%), Ciprofloxacin and Erythromycin (22%), Gentamicin (11%).