Nasal Colonization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium with an increasing level of antibiotic resistance. The main objective is to assess the nasal carriage rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus among healthcare workers. A total of 50 nasal swabs were collected from healthcare workers at the tertiary care hospital of Kathmandu Valley. To identify S. aureus, 50 nasal swabs were treated with standard bacteriological procedures. A modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test was performed to test antibiotic susceptibility. Out of 50 samples, 28% were determined to be carriers of S. aureus, with females having a proportion of 32.25% and males, 31.57%. The nasal carriage rates were highest in the 40 to 50 age group (23.81%), and rates were highest in the nurse (42.85%). Co-trimoxazole (81.25%) was the most effective antibiotic against S. aureus strains, followed by chloramphenicol (62.5%), ciprofloxacin (56.25%), erythromycin (31.25%), and amoxicillin (18.75%). Among the 28 S. aureus isolates, 12.5% were confirmed as MRSA, with a higher prevalence observed in males (16.66%) than in females (10%). The MRSA rate was highest in the 40 to 50 age group (16.66%), and the rate was highest in the nursing home (22.225%). Among the 16 isolates, 10 isolates for Methicillin Sensitive S. aureus exhibit multi-drug resistance (MDR), whereas all MRSA isolates were considered to be MDR. The study concluded that MRSA prevalence is still increasing. Enhancing hospital hygiene standards for both staff and visitors will help in preventing the spread of S. aureus and MRSA.

Stam. J. Microbiol. 2025;15(1):58-62