Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination of high-touched surfaces in a university campus

Abstract

Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) is a public and occupational health concern, both in community and healthcare settings. In recent years, communityacquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) has emerged as a major causative agent of infections in individuals with no health care exposure or any of the classical risk factors associated with infections. Environmental surfaces frequently touched by hands play a role in the transmission of CA-MRSA, where inanimate objects are considered potential reservoirs and the source of MRSA infections. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of MRSA on environmental surfaces inside a university campus. Methods and Results:A total of 1078 high-touch surface samples were collected from door handles, light switches, desks, keyboards and restroom surfaces. MRSA isolates were identified and confirmed by PCR, utilizing the Staph. aureus nuc and mecA genes. Antibiotic resistance profiles were determined using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concertation methods. In addition, the ability to form biofilms was investigated by the 96-well plate microdilution technique. PCR assays were performed to detect enterotoxin and antibiotic-resistant genes. The genetic diversity of MRSA was determined through multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), spa and agr typing methods. The overall contamination of Staph. aureus and MRSA was 14.6% (157/1078) and 2.8% (30/1078), respectively. The highest rate of MRSA contamination was detected in restroom sinks and door handles. All MRSA isolates were MDR, with the highest resistance observed was against trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.Most MRSA isolates (29/30, 97%) carried at least one gene encoding for staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE), with 10 different SE genotypes were observed. A total of 16 different spa types were detected among the 30 MRSA isolates. Multi-locus sequence typing revealed that 21 MRSA isolates belonged to eight known sequence types (ST), while nine isolates were novel strains. The most detected ST and spa types were ST22 and t223, respectively. Agr types I and III were represented in 28 out of the 30 isolates. The majority of the isolates carried SCCmec type IV, but only one isolate was positive for PVL. Conclusions:Our findings signify the potential of the high-touch surfaces in harbouring and transmitting MRSA to campus staff and students. Thus, the implementation of effective prevention measures outside the healthcare setting is needed to reduce the risk of acquiring CA-MRSA infections.

Prevalence, genetic diversity, antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from urban environments

“…This isolate might have been introduced from a contaminated hand of an individual who either had recently visited a hospital or was previously treated with carbapenems while carrying a susceptible A. baumannii strain. Door handles are one of the high touch surfaces held by people on a daily basis, thus may represent a potential source of disseminating pathogens (Ababneh, Jaradat, et al, 2022; Alonge et al, 2018; Lincy et al, 2016; Odigie et al, 2017; Oluyemi et al, 2018; Otokunefor et al, 2020). Unconsciously, people tend to touch different surfaces and shake hands with each other, rising the risk of spreading resistant strains such as CRABs in the community.…”

Detection of Staphylococcus aureus from contact surfaces of public buses in Bangkok and metropolitan area, Thailand

“…The passengers, who are sick or carriers of S. aureus without symptoms are major factors in the dispersion of the bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus on their skin causes contamination of various contact surfaces, ready to spread to other passengers when these people are exposed to public things (Ababneh et al 2022;Chen et al 2018;Gu et al 2020;Jaradat et al 2021). Moreover, S. aureus can survive on various things for several days to several months (Jaradat et al 2020).…”