Paper Type |
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Research Paper |
Title |
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Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Among
Health Care Workers of Shri Satya Sai Medical College and
Hospital –A Tertiary Care Centre. |
Country |
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India |
Authors |
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Kalyani.K, Karthika Jayakumar , Sunil Kumar.J |
 |
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10.9790/0853-0322327  |
Abstract:Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of hospital-acquired
infections in many countries. Mainly healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk for Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage. A total of 120 healthcare workers (HCWs) were screened for carriage
of MRSA. Swabs of both anterior nares and web spaces of the hands and palms were taken, transported and
incubated in Tween 80 at 35°C overnight aerobically before inoculation onto Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA).
Inoculated MSA were incubated aerobically at 35°C for 18-24 hrs. Staphylococcus aureus was identified as
Gram positive cocci with positive catalase, coagulase and DNAse test. MRSA were identified at different sites
using oxacillin and cefoxitin discs diffusion methods. Overall carriage rate was 15.8%., with the highest rate in
nurses (7.5%) while the lowest in Doctors (2.5%). All the MRSA isolates were sensitive to all antibiotics.
Vancomycin resistant strain was not identified. The commonest site of colonization was the anterior nares.
Prolonged hospital stay and improper hand washing were found to be the major risk factors for MRSA
colonization, although it would require screening of larger numbers before arriving at any definite conclusions.
There is need for MRSA control policies in hospitals.
Keywords:Healthcare workers, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage, MRSA carriage, Nasal
carriage , Staphylococcus aureus.
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