The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by detecting the mecA gene among healthcare workers at Menoufia University Hospitals

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Public Health and Community Medicine department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt

2 Family Medicine department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt

3 Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Menofia University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers have the potential to spread both community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections. One of the most common causes of these infections and a major contributor to management failure is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the frequency of MRSA by the mecA gene among healthcare workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 140 healthcare professionals who worked in different departments at Menoufia University Hospitals in Egypt. Each participant filled out a self-administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic information and their work history. Additionally, microbiological workup was carried out, which included cultures for Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA detection, both phenotypically using cefoxitin discs and genotypically by the mecA gene. Results: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA by the mecA gene among the studied healthcare workers was 32.9% and 28.6%. The cefoxitin disc diffusion exhibited 92.5% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 93.5% accuracy. Nurses (72.5%) and healthcare personnel in intensive care units (ICU) (35%) had the highest frequency of MRSA. Male gender, working in ICU, practicing nurses, handling more patients daily, having fewer years of experience, and washing the hands improperly were associated factors with MRSA. Conclusion: The high frequency of MRSA amongst healthcare personnel emphasizes the importance of improved methods for controlling infections to avoid spread to patients at risk and to prevent the outbreak.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Microbes and Infectious Diseases

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 February 2025

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics