KUMJ | VOL. 18 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 69 | JAN.-MARCH, 2020
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Nasal Carriers among Laboratory Technical Staff of Tertiary Hospital in Eastern Nepal
Neupane R, Bhatt N, Poudyal A, Sharma A
Abstract: Background
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been the leading cause of
nosocomial and community infections worldwide. In particular, healthcare workers
are at constant risk to develop MRSA carriage. There is a paucity of data regarding
the epidemiology of MRSA in laboratory workers who are constantly in contact with
these pathogens in almost every hospital.
Objective
This study was undertaken to identify the burden of MRSA nasal carriers and the
antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates among laboratory technical staff.
Method
Sterile nasal swabs were taken from 50 laboratory technical staff working in the
Central and Emergency laboratory of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS).
Standard procedures were followed for isolation, identification and antibiotic
sensitivity testing. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using disc diffusion
and growth on Oxacillin screen agar based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards
Institute (CLSI) guidelines.
Result
Out of 50 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 44 (88%) were Methicillin-sensitive
(MSSA) while six (12%) were Methicillin-resistant (MRSA). All 50 isolates of S. aureus
were found resistant to Penicillin while all were found sensitive to Teicoplanin,
Linezolid, and Levofloxacin. Only five (10%) were sensitive to Erythromycin while 49
(98%) were sensitive to both Amikacin and Gentamicin. However, none of the MRSA
isolates were found sensitive to all tested antimicrobial agents.
Conclusion
This repertoire portrays the emergence of MRSA in laboratory workers which clearly
indicates the necessity of complying with the sanitary and antibacterial guidelines
and adhering to the rational use of antibiotics to prevent nosocomial infections.
Keyword : Antibiotic resistance, Laboratory personnel, MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus
