Staphylococcal nasal colonization in Mofid children hospital staff; carrier state and antibiotic susceptibility

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is frequently found on normal human skin and mucous membranes. Methicilline resistance S. aureus (MRSA) strains have spread in many hospital isolates world wide since 1970s. Hospital personnel tend to have higher colonization rates than the general population. Colonized residents and personnel are sources for dissemination of organism. Materials and methods: For this cross sectional study, Mofid children’s hospital staff were evaluated for staphylococcal nasal colonization. Isolated staphylococci tested for methicilline sensitivity by MIC method and their antibiotic susceptibility was investigated for six antibiotics by Disk diffusion technique. Results: Of 284 tested personnel, 56 (19.7%) revealed to have nasal colonization of whom 23 (8.1%) were methicilline resistant (MRSA). Working in the office (p < 0.003), age (p < 0.008) and years of employment in hospital (p < 0.039) were correlated with colonization with MRSA. Totally, 96% of carriers were persistent carrier. Logistic regression showed a significant association between the working place (health care) (p < 0.049) and years of employment (p < 0.07) with S.aureus nasal colonization rate. Conclusion: Hospitals should assess the advantages and disadvantages of routinely culturing personnel, however, in outbreak situation hospital personnel especially older persons may be sources of nosocomial infection.