DETECTION OF RESISTANCE STAPHLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) AMONG VARIOUS CLINICAL CASES AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN WASIT PROVINCE

Abstract

The opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus can colonise the nasal mucosa and skin, leading to a host of infections that can range from relatively harmless skin blemishes to potentially fatal conditions like septic shock, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and pneumonia. Given this fact, a total of two hundred seventy five specimens had been collected from patients (Skin swab, Nasal swab and Wound swab), Health Care Workers (Skin swab and Nasal swab). During the period from August to December 2024. The current study showed among the 172 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from various clinical cases and healthcare workers , 64 isolates identified Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) ( 42 from clinical cases and 22 from Health Care Workers) . Isolates that were identified as Staphylococcus aureus were cultured on HiCrome MeReSa Agar Base medium. The Prevalence of (MRSA) among various infections was a variant rate were in Burns 16/42 (28.0%) followed by Abscesses 13/42 (20.9 %)from patients most of them were already on antibiotics, Endocarditis was 6/42 (14.2%), samples of Otitis 5/42 (11.9%) while, pneumonia cases were 2/42 (7.4 %).regarding of The Prevalence of (MRSA) among among health care workers was highest among lab Nursing 10/22 (45.4%), followed by Dentist 7/22 (31.8%), Lab Staff 4/22, (18.1%) and Surgery 1/22 (4.5%). twelve antibiotics used in Antimicrobial susceptibility test against MRSA most of them showed high resistance. regarding of virulence factors to MRSA the results were ( icaA) gene in 28/64 (43.7%) , hla gene in 20/64(31.2%), hlb gene 42/64(65.6%) and pvl gene in 15/64(23.4%). The study revealing a high prevalence and genetic diversity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Wasit region of Iraq. This underscores the urgent need for enhanced infection control practices and targeted public health strategies to mitigate the spread of MRSA in healthcare settings.