- Hamid Vaez: Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
- Zahra Rashki Ghalehnoo: Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
INTRODUCTION: is known as one of the most important hospital pathogens responsible for a wide range of infections. Limited data concerning the prevalence of nasal carriage of and its molecular characteristics are available in Zabol province, Iran. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of nasal carriage of and its molecular characteristics isolated from health care workers (HCWs).
METHODS: Totally, 251 nasal swabs were collected from HCWs at a referral hospital, from March to September 2017. Disk diffusion method was used to identify Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA). PCR amplification method was used for the detection of following genes; and SCCmec types.
RESULTS: Of 251 collected swabs, 31 (12.4%) cases were identified as carriers, which 14 (14/31; 45.2%) isolates were MRSA. The most prevalent detected genes were and , with 22.6% and 9.7%, respectively. The most prevalent SCCmec type was SCCmec type IV (28.6%).
CONCLUSION: We found that the prevalence of MRSA nasal carriage is at high level and must be considered as a significant health care problem at the investigated hospital. Strict implementation of infection-control policies and rational use of antibiotics are the main pillars for controlling the spread of at hospital.