Evaluation of methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> nasal carriage in Malagasy veterinary students

Abstract

Purpose: Populations that are frequently in contact with animals such as veterinary students have been demonstrated to be at risk of MRSA carriage.Thus, it is relevant to generate baseline data in MRSA nasal carriage and multidrug resistance among Malagasy veterinary students (Madagascar).

Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among veterinary students coming for laboratory training. After their wise consent, nasal swabs of the anterior nares were carried out; and S. aureus was isolated by selective chromogenic culture. They were then assessed for antimicrobial susceptibility.

Results: Nasal swabs of 155 Malagasy veterinary students (Sex-ratio M/F: 0.91), enabled to isolate 30 (19, 35%) S. aureus strains, among which 14 (46, 66 %) were méthicillin-resistant (MRSA). Risk factors analysis revealed that history of hospitalization, recent antibiotic intake and frequent contact with animals and livestock workers/veterinarians increase the risk of MRSA nasal carriage. Among MRSA nasal isolates, a high rate of multidrug resistance and particularly an intriguing resistance to gentamycin (20%) and vancomycin (7.14%) were observed.

Conclusion: These results suggest that MRSA is spreading in Malagasy community requiring a strategic policy against multidrug resistant strains.

Keywords: Madagascar, MRSA, Risk factors, Veterinary