IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 17, Issue 3 Ver.17 March. (2018), PP 64-69 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1703176469 www.iosrjournals.org 64 | Page Nasal Carriage Rate Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Among Theatre Staff Of Upth, Rivers State, Nigeria Dr Wichendu PN 1 , Dr Wariso KT* 2 , Dr Igunma AJ 2 , Dr Olonipile FA 2 , Dr Awopeju ATO 2 , Dr Dodiyi-Manuel A 1 . Dr Atemie KJJ 3 1 Department of Surgery University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. 2 Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt 3 Department of Haematology and Blood transfusion, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. Abstract Background : Theatre staff who are asymptomatic carriers of MRSA play a vital role in the acquisition of surgical site infections caused by MRSA in post-surgical patients. Screening and eradication of MRSA from the colonized HCWs has been identified and recommended as an important tool in infection control policy for this organism. The study aimed to determine the nasal carriage rate of MRSA and associated risk factors among theatre staff. Materials and methods: Nasal swabs were obtained from 109 healthy staff working in the operating theatre and inoculated on Manitol salt agar and subcultured on blood agar. Each isolated Staphylococcus aureus was screened for Methicillin resistance by the Kirby-Bauer method by using cefoxitin (30 mcg) disks(oxiod) and the zone of inhibition was measured and interpreted according to the CLSI guidelines. Results : The overall carriage rate of MRSA was found to be 9.3% of the total respondents. The MRSA carriage was far higher among the doctors (88.9%) compared to nurses (11.1%) and none among other support staff Conclusion : Regular screening of healthcare workers in our setting with the aim of identifying MRSA carrier and development of control measures to mitigate colonization is strongly indicated. Key words; Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Theatre, Infection, Port Harcourt --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 15-03-2018 Date of acceptance: 31-03-2018 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Background information Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality worldwide 1,3 . Infections caused by MRSA strains are associated with longer hospital stay, prolonged antibiotic administration, and higher cost of treatment in contrast to infections caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains 2 . MRSA is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus which is resistant to methicillin and other antibioiotics 4,5 . Staphylococcus aureus is a potentially pathogenic organism which can be found on a lot of healthy humans 6,7 . Colonization may be either transient or persistent and may be at single or multiple body sites. The most common site of carriage of this organism is the nose 7,10 . Other sites this organism could be found on the human body includes; skin folds, hairline, perineum and navel 8,9 . Asymptomatically colonized healthcare workers are believed to be a major source of MRSA in the hospital environment, being especially identified as a useful link in the transmission of MRSA between the patients 11,12, . Several studies have indicated a high nasal carriage rate of MRSA among health workers 14,16,17, . According to studies carried out by Shibabaw et al 15 and Lakshm et al 18 , the rate of MRSA carriage among hospital care workers was 12.7% and 12% respectively. A significant proportion of the health care workers have their nares colonized by MRSA and this has been identified as a major risk factor for the transmission of hospital acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections 13,19 . This is particularly true for surgical site infections (SSI) as many studies have shown MRSA as the most common pathogen isolated from serious SSIs 21,22 . The impact of MRSA on SSI is enormous. These include an increase in mortality rates, longer hospitalization, and increase hospital cost, according to the study of Anderson et al who compared elderly patients with SSI and those without, it was shown that the presence of SSI doubles the risk of death while the presence of an MRSA SSI increases the risk of death 11-fold after surgery. When SSI is caused by MRSA the hospital stay can increase by as much as 2 weeks 2,23