Author/Authors :
Al-Mathkhury, Harith. J. University of Baghdad - College of Science - Department of Biology, Iraq , Al-Dahbi, Ali .M. University of Baghdad - College of Science - Department of Biology, Iraq
Abstract :
One hundred and six S. aureus were isolated from 250 Nasal swabs of Healthcare workers and patients at Al- Kadhamia teaching Hospital and Al- Numan hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. The study was undertaken over a period of ten months between August 2011 and June 2012. S. aureus isolates were diagnosed based on phenotypic traits and biochemical tests. Antibiotics sensitivity to 11 antibiotics, revealed that S.aureus is totally resistant to Pencillin G (100%), highly resistant to Cefoxitin (alternative to Methicillin) (94.3%) While there are varied resistance percentage for the rest of antibiotics: Erythromycin (37.7%), Tetracycline (34.9%), Gentamicin (29.3%), Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (50%), Ciprofloxacin (29.2%), and showed highly sensitive to Rifampin (96.2%), Clarithromycin (78.3%) and Clindamycin (73.6%),Whereas Vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA) was 32.1% and 3.8% was Vancomycin resistant S. aureus (VRSA). The incidence of MRSA among S. aureus was 94.3%. It is concluded that S. aureus nasal carriage is a common health problem all over the world and Methicillin resistant S. aureus is an emerging subject even in our community, which requires further attention and support.