Mupirocin Resistance among Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Nasal Isolates from Health Care Workers; An Egyptian Single Centre Study

Abstract

Back ground: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major health concern in hospital environment. The isolates resistance to most previously used antibiotics is clearly escalating.  In many hospitals, MRSA became mostly universal in the hospital environment. Health care workers (HCWs) can transmit MRSA from patient to patient by their contaminated hands, gloves, aprons and other instruments.

Aim of the Study:Our objective was to evaluate mupirocin resistance in nasal carriage of Staphylococcus Aureus resistant to methicillin among HCWsat Al-Ahrar Teaching Hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was focusedon 163 HCWs.  Nasal swabs were collected for detection of mupirocin and methicillin resistant isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern by standard bacteriological procedures. Then molecular detection of resistant genes by PCR was done.

Results: The whole nasal carriage ofStaphylococcus Aureus resistant toMupirocin in our study was 1.2%. The prevalence of resistance tomupirocin amongMRSA isolates was 4.4%.

Conclusion:As the resistance rate to mupirocin was not high, so it can be used in nasal decolonization of MRSA among medical staff and patients.