Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization among medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives:To identify Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage status among medical students during their clinical rotations.Methods:This cross-sectional study detected the prevalence of MRSA among medical students at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, using molecular approaches. Nasal swabs were collected from 150 internship and sixth-year medical students between September 2014 and January 2015, and compared with the control group of 32 third-year medical students who were not exposed to clinical work. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening was performed to identify Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) nuc gene, and an additional PCR was performed on S. aureus positive samples to detect the presence of mecA gene.Results:Out of 150 students screened, 38 were nasal carriers of S. aureus. The prevalence of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) carriers was 18.7% (n=28), whereas 10 students (6.7%) were mecA-positive, representing MRSA carriers. Interns carry MRSA more than 6th year students and students who were not exposed to clinical work (p<0.05), while MSSA is found more in students who were not exposed to clinical work (p<0.01).Conclusion:We found MRSA carriers among medical students at KAU, which showed a possible contribution of this group to transmit infection to hospitalized patients. Medical students must receive sufficient knowledge regarding control measures to avoid spread of this infection in hospitals.

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriers and the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among medical students

“…Various studies have reported S.aureus nasal carriage in medical students ranging from 10%-39%. 3,6,[10][11][12][13] The colonisation rate of MRSA in the present study was found to be 12.66% amongst the medical students. The nasal carriage rate of MRSA in international studies in students ranged from 0% -6.7%.…”

“…In Saudi Arabia, the MRSA nasal carriage rate among healthcare workers was reported as 76%. 3 In Delhi, India, MRSA nasal colonization among healthcare workers was reported to be 37.3%. 4 In South India, the MRSA positivity of 8.5% was reported among health care workers.…”

“…Medical students would be a key target group to introduce awareness of hospital-acquired infections. 3 Few studies have analysed whether the patient exposure creates a risk of MRSA carriage in medical students, especially in the Indian setting. 1 Some of the published studies further raised concern, as they reported that nasal colonisation of S.aureus increased with greater exposure of students to the hospital environment.…”

“…6 Therefore, prevalence studies need to be carried out to screen this group to assess their carriage status during their clinical rotations. 3 Hence, the present study aims at understanding the prevalence of carrier rate of S. aureus and MRSA among Medical students.…”

Staphylococcus Aureus Nešiojimas Tarp Vilniaus Universiteto Medicinos Fakulteto Pirmo Kurso Studentų, Atsparumas Antimikrobiniams Vaistams Ir Nešiojimo Rizikos Veiksnių Tyrimas

“…Visos padermės buvo jautrios oksacilinui/ cefoksitinui, tad tarp tiriamųjų nebuvo MASA nešiotojų. MASA nebuvo nustatyta ir 2007-2008 m. atliktame Vilniaus miesto suaugusiųjų populiacijoje tyrime [22] bei kitų autorių atliktų tyrimų metu [16,17,19,28,29]. Ikiklinikinių studijų metu didžiausias šio hospitalinių infekcijų sukėlėjų nešiotojų mastas rastas Indijoje -3,2 proc.…”