Carriage of Drug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Anterior Nares of a Healthy Student Population

Aims: This study set out to explore Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage rates in University student populations and determine possible effects of consistent contact with hospital environment, on carriage levels.

Introduction: Nasal carriage of S. aureus (the second most common human pathogen isolated in the clinical laboratory) has long been recognized as a major risk factor for the development of infection. Few studies have however focused on exploring nasal carriage rates in University student populations.

Methodology: Anterior nares of 140 University students (70 medical and 70 non-medical) were analyzed for the carriage and antibiotic resistance patterns of S. aureus using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results: Overall, 46 (32.9%) S. aureus nasal carriers were detected, with higher carriage rates observed in medical students (38.6% versus 27.1%). Overall rates of resistance to isolates were 100% for augmentin, 100% for cloxacillin, 97.8% for erythromycin, 93.5% for ceftazidime, 84.8% for cefuroxime, 73.9% for ceftriaxone, 69.6% for gentamicin, and 6.5% for ofloxacin. Majority of isolates (41, 89.1%) were multidrug resistant.

Conclusion: This study contributes to the relatively limited epidemiological data on an important pathogen. It provides a worrisome picture of high carriage of MDR isolates. Further studies are needed to provide more data, explore possible risk factors and design control measures.