Dr Ebubechi Okey-Kalu, Prof Ikechukwu Okoli, Prof Emmanuel Onwubiko,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (1-2026)
Abstract
Background The purpose of this study was to detect the Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus amongst the Staphylococcus aureus isolates and also to detect the presence of MecAgene amongst some selected MRSA isolates.
Method: A total of 206 Staphylococcus aureus isolates cultured on Mannitol salt agar after standard biochemical tests were carried out to confirm the isolates were tested for methicillin resistant using Cefoxitin disc diffusion method. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates were carried out using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Some of the MRSA were tested for the presence of mecAgene.
Results One hundred and twenty two Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from inanimate surfaces with footwear, 39.34% (n=48) harboring the most while 84 Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from the palm of hands and nostrils of healthcare workers with the nostrils, 83.33% (n=70) harboring the most. The Antibiotic susceptibility test were carried out on the Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were more susceptible to Meropenem, Augmentin, Tetracycline, Ceftazidime, Cefuroxime, and Cephalexin. A total of 206 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were tested for MRSA using Cefoxitin disc diffusion, and 43.69% (n=90) were methicillin resistant. A total of 20 Staphylococcus aureus isolates suspected to be MRSA were tested for mecAgene and only 4 isolates (20% of the total isolates tested by Polymerase Chain Reaction) were positive for mecAgene.
Conclusion The presence of MRSA in the two tertiary hospitals poses a risk to healthcare and community environments by contaminating healthcare workers, patients, and visitors with contaminated surfaces.
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