Full Length Research Paper

Investigation of nasal colonization of health care workers by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with using new generation real-time PCR assay: Discussing of risks

Yasemin Zer¹*, Ilkay Karaoglan², Mustafa Namıduru², Iclal Balcı¹, Işık Didem Karagoz³, Mehmet Ozaslan³, Halil Ibrahim Kılıc³ and Aynur Suner²

¹Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Medicine Hospital, University of Gaziantep, Turkey.

²Department of Infection Diseases, Medicine Hospital, University of Gaziantep, Turkey.

³Department of Biology, Faculty of Art and Science, University of Gaziantep, Turkey,

*Corresponding author. E -mail: yaseminzer@hotmail.com.

Tel: +90342-3606069-77373. Fax: +90342-3603928.

Accepted 10 September, 2009

   Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a nasal infectious pathogen which is becoming of significant importance year by year. Mortality, morbidity and treatment costs of MRSA infections have all increased. The most effective preventative tool is rapid confirmation of MRSA existence, followed by efficient execution of the required infection control measures. This study was performed with the aim of evaluating MRSA colonization in health care staff from intensive care units (internal and surgical intensive care units) (ICUs) and how certain risk factors affect their colonization status. The study was conducted prospectively using samples obtained from nasal swabs of health-care staffs working in different missions in the intensive care unit of Gaziantep University Training Hospital in southeast of Turkey. The nasal swab samples were processed using a real-time PCR method platform called GeneXpert (Cepheid). Our PCR screen revealed the presence of MRSA in 14 of 98 health-care staffs. Of these 14 health-care staffs carrying nasal MRSA, 10 were male, 8 were assistant health-care personnel and 11 have been working for over one year in the intensive care unit. Our data showed that male gender and an employment during of more than one year served as significant risk factors for nasal MRSA colonization.

Key words: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), health care staff, nasal colonization.