Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization among healthcare workers at a tertiary care hospital in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Summary Background Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen of clinical importance related to a variety of infections. Aim The objective of this study was to analyze the molecular and epidemiological characteristics of S. aureus obtained from healthcare professionals (HCP) of a hospital in southwestern Bahia, Brazil. Methods Samples were collected from hands, nasal cavity, and laboratory coats of 80 HCP. The bacterial isolates recovered from 240 samples were identified as S. aureus, and then analyzed for their antimicrobial resistance profile, genotypic characterization, and pathogenicity. Findings 178 isolates were identified as S. aureus , being mostly isolated from the nasal cavity. Thirty isolates (16.8%) were characterized as MRSA. The virulence gene frequency varied according to isolate source. All virulence genes were identified in at least one hand isolate. Isolates from laboratory coats did not show seb and pvl. Isolates from the nasal cavity did not exhibit pvl. The SCCmec type I was identified in 56.7% of MRSA isolates. Among MRSA isolates, 14 PFGE pulsotypes were characterized, with profile A being predominant (nine isolates). Clonal complexes CC5, CC45, and CC398 were found. MRSA isolates induced cytokine gene expression in macrophages, with IL-10 and IL-17 being expressed more often. Conclusion We found a high colonization rate for S. aureus among HCP. Moreover, we observed that MRSA strains presented different virulence factors and could induce cytokine gene expression, indicating an urgent need to control colonization rates of HCP by MRSA isolates in order to protect hospital patients and the general public.

Understanding of Pharmacy Students towards Antibiotic Use, Antibiotic Resistance and Antibiotic Stewardship Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study from Punjab, Pakistan

“…More than half of the survey respondents agreed that healthcare workers could act as a vector to transfer resistant strains of pathogens within a hospital. This complies with various studies [ 35 , 36 ], such as a study conducted in Tanzania that found that healthcare workers, including nurses, had a high percentage of MRSA carriage [ 37 ]. Like a previous study [ 21 ], many respondents believed that switching empiric therapy to definitive therapy in the presence of culture and sensitivity tests could help reduce ABR.…”

High prevalence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin positive, multidrug resistant, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains circulating among clinical setups in Adamawa and Far North regions of Cameroon

“…While most isolates were susceptible for rifampicin (88.1%), fusidic acid (76.2%), and lincomycin (66.7%) (Fig 1). HA MRSA are known to be resistant to non-Beta lactam antibiotics including aminoglycopeptides, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides [25] while CA MRSA demonstrate resistance to Beta lactams, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines [27]. Our study shows extensive drug resistance among CA MRSA that is steadily increasing in prevalence compared to previous data.…”

“…These strains do not secrete PVL toxin in general [25]. In addition, HA MRSA is resistant to non-Beta lactam antibiotics including aminoglycopeptides, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides [26,27], while CA MRSA demonstrate resistance to Beta lactams, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines [28][29][30]. In Cameroon, the differentiation of these two types of strains is set up following the CDC definition based on surgical intervention, hospital environment contact, and hospital stay [31].…”

Molecular Detection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Poultry in Bangladesh: Having Public Health Significance

“…During this study, 66.67% of the cloacal swabs were infected with MRSA, whereas 32.60% were found in Nigeria [25]. Surprisingly, 53.84% of the poultry farmers' hand wash samples were contaminated with MRSA, whereas 83.3% were reported to health workers in Brazil [26]. Different classes of antibiotics are frequently used for the treatment of poultry in Bangladesh [27].…”