<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Nasal Carriage among Surgical personnel in National Ribat University Teaching Hospital-Khartoum-Sudan

Abstract

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most common
causes of both community and hospital acquired bacterial infection. There is
strong correlation between S aureus nasal carriage and disease progress. Nasal
carriage is high among health care workers. Inappropriate usage of antibiotic may
lead to emergence of resistant strains which has serious consequences. Objective: The objective of this study is to reveal the frequency of S aureus nasal carriage and its drug resistance among surgical personnel in National Ribat Teaching Hospital Khartoum Sudan. Methods: This is a hospital-based case study. Nasal smears were taken from medical workers in the surgical department and operational theater at National Ribat Teaching Hospital in Khartoum State, Sudan. Samples were processed, cultured, then susceptibility tests were performed using Bauer-Kirby disc diffusion methods following recommendations of National Committee for Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Results were analyzed and discussed. Results: Sixty three samples were taken. Thirty were males. Growth was achieved in only eight (12.6%). Majority showed resistance to penicillin. However, alls strain were sensitive to amoxicillin/calvunalic acid, vancomycin and oxacillin. Conclusion: this study gives an early alarm on the problems related to S. aureus colonization rate and its drug resistance. Nevertheless, the small number of our study group is a bit fall.

Keywords: drug resistance, hospital acquired bacterial infection

Sudan Journal of Medical Science Vol. 3 (4) 2008: pp. 281-284