Detection of staphylococcus aureus and determination of antibiotic susceptibility from healthcare workers’ nasal swabs
- VernacularTitle:Эмнэлгийн ажилтнуудын хамрын үүдэвчнээс staphylococcus aureus илрүүлж, антибиотикт мэдрэг чанарыг тодорхойлох
- Author:
Sarnai B
1
;
Altantsetseg D
1
Author Information
1. Ach Medical University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
antimicrobial susceptibility;
healthcare workers;
MRSA;
nasal carriage;
VRSA
- From:Mongolian Medical Sciences
2026;215(1):75-84
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Healthcare workers play a key role in the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) in healthcare settings. Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of healthcare
associated infections, including surgical site infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia,
and bloodstream infections.
The anterior nares serve as an important reservoir for this pathogen, facilitating its spread
within healthcare environments. In recent years, the rising prevalence of antimicrobial
resistance has become a major public health concern, leading to increased morbidity,
mortality, and healthcare costs.
Therefore, assessing nasal carriage and antimicrobial resistance patterns among healthcare
workers is essential for effective infection prevention and control.
Objective:To detect Staphylococcus aureus from nasal swabs of healthcare workers and to determine
its antimicrobial susceptibility profile, with a particular focus on resistant strains.
Materials and Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study included 159 healthcare workers from six private
hospitals in Songino Khairkhan district. Nasal vestibule swabs were collected and cultured
on 5% blood agar and CHROMagar™ MRSA. Bacterial identification was performed using
conventional microbiological techniques and API identification systems. Antimicrobial
susceptibility testing was conducted using the disk diffusion method and interpreted according
to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Statistical analysis was
performed using SPSS version 24. The study protocol was submitted to and approved by the
Research Ethics Subcommittee of “Ach” Medical University on November 11, 2025. Written
informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to sample collection.
Results:A total of 159 nasal swabs were collected from healthcare workers, from which 58 (36.5%)
bacterial strains were isolated. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent pathogen,
accounting for 50 (86.2%) of the total isolates, representing an overall carrier rate of 31.4%
(50/159) among the participants. Other identified species included Enterococcus spp. (n=5, 8.6%), Streptococcus viridans (n=2, 3.4%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=1, 1.7%).
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 76% (n=38) of the S. aureus isolates
were Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and 21% (n=10) were Multi-Drug Resistant
(MDR). Additionally, Vancomycin-Resistant S. aureus (VRSA) and Vancomycin-Resistant
Enterococci (VRE) were each detected at a rate of 0.6%
Conclusion:Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were identified in 44 (27.7%) of samples collected from healthcare
workers, indicating the presence of multidrug resistance.
The detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), along with vancomycin
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), among healthcare workers indicates a potential
risk for the dissemination of highly resistant pathogens.
- Full text:2026070408544234252MAUS-2026-215(1)-75-84.pdf
