Shume Tadesse, Urgesa Kedir, Mekonnen Shambel, Ayele Firayad, Tesfa Tewodros, Tebeje Fikru, Wolde Wondimagegn, Ahmed Mohammed, Bogale Kasahun, Debebe Sileshi, Weldegebreal Fitsum
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
Sci Rep. 2024 Dec 2;14(1):29977. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-80794-4.
Medical and health science students are among the demographics most at risk from Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is a serious hazard to public health. The main reservoir for MRSA is the nasal cavity, and colonization of this area can raise the risk of infection and transmission in healthcare settings. This study aimed to assess the nasal carriage rate of MRSA among clinically affiliated students at Haramaya University, College of Health and Medicine Sciences, Ethiopia, from July to August 2022. An institution-based cross-sectional study of 250 study participants was conducted using a stratified random sampling methods. The data were collected via structured questionnaires. Nasal swabs were cultured on mannitol salt agar and blood agar at 37 °C for 24 h. Staphylococcus aureus was identified using catalase and coagulase tests. The MRSA was screened using the cefoxitin disk diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar. The data were entered and analyzed by SPSS version 25. Pearson's chi-square test was performed to predict associations between variables. A p value less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. The nasal carriage rate of S. aureus was 8% (95% CI: 4.6-11.3%). The Nasal carriage rate of MRSA was 4.8% (95% CI: 2.1-7.4%). Overall, 4.8% of all the students were identified as MRSA carriers. MRSA carriage was high among medical students (33.3%). Nose-picking habit (X = 16.7, P = 0.001) and dormitory occupancy (X = 3.6, P = 0.045) were significantly associated with the MRSA rate. All the MRSA strains were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. However, all the MRSA strains were susceptible to chloramphenicol and clindamycin. This study revealed that MRSA is a threat due to significant resistance. Nasal carriage is associated with nose picking and dorm occupancy. Encourage practices such as avoiding nose picking and maintaining personal cleanliness. Regular cleaning and disinfection of shared spaces can reduce the presence of MRSA.
医学与健康科学专业的学生是耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）感染风险最高的人群之一，这种细菌对公众健康构成严重威胁。MRSA的主要储存部位是鼻腔，该部位的定植会增加医疗机构中感染和传播的风险。本研究旨在评估2022年7月至8月埃塞俄比亚哈拉马亚大学健康与医学科学学院临床附属学生中MRSA的鼻腔携带率。采用分层随机抽样方法对250名研究参与者进行了一项基于机构的横断面研究。通过结构化问卷收集数据。将鼻拭子接种在甘露醇盐琼脂和血琼脂上，于37°C培养24小时。使用过氧化氢酶和凝固酶试验鉴定金黄色葡萄球菌。在Muller Hinton琼脂上采用头孢西丁纸片扩散法筛选MRSA。数据录入并使用SPSS 25版进行分析。采用Pearson卡方检验预测变量之间的关联。p值小于0.05被视为具有统计学意义。金黄色葡萄球菌的鼻腔携带率为8%（95%可信区间：4.6 - 11.3%）。MRSA的鼻腔携带率为4.8%（95%可信区间：2.1 - 7.4%）。总体而言，所有学生中有4.8%被确定为MRSA携带者。医学生中MRSA携带率较高（33.3%）。挖鼻习惯（X = 16.7，P = 0.001）和宿舍居住情况（X = 3.6，P = 0.045）与MRSA携带率显著相关。所有MRSA菌株均对青霉素和氨苄西林耐药。然而，所有MRSA菌株均对氯霉素和克林霉素敏感。本研究表明，由于显著的耐药性，MRSA构成威胁。鼻腔携带与挖鼻和宿舍居住情况有关。鼓励采取避免挖鼻和保持个人清洁等措施。定期清洁和消毒共享空间可减少MRSA的存在。
