S.aureus and MRSA Nasal colonization and antibiotics susceptibility profile among nursing students of AAUJ exposed to hospital environment and none exposed

Methicillin Resistant Staphyloccus aures are responsible for increased global mortality and morbidity rates, longer hospitalization and higher medical costs. It is responsible for Community -Acquired infection as well as Hospitals- Acquired infections. MRSA nasal carriage among nursing staff is high in reference to other medical careers due to prolong contact with patients. Nursing students during their clinical training in hospitals and other health care facilities are exposed to this resistant bacteria therefore acting as reservoir participating in spreading cycle among patients and environment of hospitals and university. The Aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of MRSA and MSSA nasal colonization among nursing students of AAUJ pre-clinical and during their clinical training to create an effective system for infection control and prevention. Method: 220 anterior nasal swabs were collected from healthy nursing students who passed through inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of them; 130 students were not exposed to hospital environment while 90 were exposed . Standard procedures for samples collection, identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed. Results: . 20 (9.1%)of the students were nasal carriers for S.aureus. 3 isolates of MRSA (3.3%) were identified among male students who were exposed to hospitals, none of the isolates exhibits Erthromycin Inducible Clindamycin resistance and all of the isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and linezoild. Fortunately, these results are less than reported elsewhere, still screening of the nursing students may play a vital role in infection control, management and prevention. Furthermore; students should be well educated to properly follow the aseptic procedures including adequate hand washing and disinfection of the equipments as well as stop sharing lab coats between hospitals and the university.E