Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonisation amongst healthcare workers in Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among healthcare workers (HCWs) compared with non-HCWs at Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, northern Iraq. Methods A total of 182 HCWs with different occupations and working in different hospital units as well as 198 non-HCWs were recruited. Nasal swab samples were collected and were inoculated on mannitol salt agar and incubated at 35 °C for 48 h. Isolates identified as S. aureus underwent antimicrobial sensitivity testing to oxacillin. MRSA isolates were selected and investigated for presence of the mecA gene. Results Among the HCWs, 41/182 (22.5%) were carriers of S. aureus compared with 37/198 (18.7%) non-HCWs ( P  = 0.4). Amongst the S. aureus carriers, 25/41 strains (61.0%) isolated from HCWs were MRSA compared with 8/37 strains (21.6%) isolated from non-HCWs ( P  = 0.039). The mean age of MRSA carriers was 35.6 ± 6.7 years compared with 30 ± 5.8 years for MRSA non-carriers ( P  = 0.0177). The mean working years of MRSA carriers was significantly higher than that of MRSA non-carriers (7.8 ± 5.5 years vs. 3.9 ± 5.3 years; P  = 0.04). Conclusions The prevalence of MRSA was very high amongst HCWs. Regular screening of carriers is required for prevention of nosocomial infections.