ISSN: 2574-8009
Authors: Salem MA*, At Thar AD, Belkher MS and Shaban TM
Staphylococcus aureus infections are increasingly reported from both health institutions and communities around the world. In particular, infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have been detected worldwide. If MRSA becomes the most common form of S. aureus in a community, it makes the treatment of common infections much more difficult. But, reports on the current status of community acquired MRSA in the study area are non-existent. Aim: To determine nasal and hand carriage of S. aureus and the prevalence of MRSA isolates among school children in Gharyan city. Methods: This study was a cross sectional descriptive study carried out over a period of three months in three basic education schools in Gharyan city. Children were recruited into the study after getting consent from schools headmasters. Nasal swabs and fingerprints were collected from 120 children and taken to Microbiology laboratory of science faculty, Gharyan University, where conventional culture techniques, characterization of S. aureus and determination of MRSA using Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method were performed. Results: Out of a total of 240 nasal swabs and fingerprints, 48 (20%) S. aureus isolates were identified. S. aureus carriage rate was the highest among males, higher at hands than nares and lower among age group 11-15 years than 5-10 years. The overall prevalence of MRSA among S. aureus isolates was 39.6 %. MRSA carriage rate was lower among females than males, the lowest at hands and higher among age group 11-15 years than 5-10 years. Conclusion: This is the first study to assess S. aureus carriage and the MRSA prevalence among children aged 5-15 years in Gharyan city schools. S. aureus was isolated from only 20% of the nares and hands of children included in this study. MRSA is moderately prevalent 39.6% among the S. aureus isolates. Therefore the prevalence of MRSA among school children needs close attention to prevent its transmission.
Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus; Nasal and Hand Carriers; MRSA; School Children
