Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus on the Hands of Healthcare Workers in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Walter Emeka Alobu, Yemgbe Emmanuel, Ifeoma Augustina Adulugba, Ben James Eveshojiame, Musa Adah Giftson, Ayeni Christabel Oyowo Obinna Innocent Oke and Alpha Umaru Bai-Sesay

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus has been implicated in a wide range of infections from mild skin infections to life threatening blood stream infections. The multidrug resistant strain is widely distributed within the hospital setting and readily transmitted by contaminated hands of healthcare workers.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the susceptibility pattern and multidrug resistance index of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hands of healthcare workers to routine antibiotics in Jos, North central Nigeria.

Methodology: Forty-eight isolates were collected from hands of 145 healthcare workers in Jos University Teaching Hospitals, Nigeria. The Staphylococcus aureus isolates were identified using standardized laboratory techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using disc diffusion method, phenotypic method was used to detect methicillin resistance responsible for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Result: The in-vitro susceptibility of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates to antibiotics indicated 77.3-90% sensitivity to clindamycin, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin with 56-90% resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin and penicillin. Out of the 48 isolates tested with methicillin, 28 (58.3%) were resistant while 20 (41.7%) were sensitive. Multiple resistance was also observed to 6 frequently used antibiotics.

Conclusion: The current prevalence of multidrug resistant S. aureus present on the hands of healthcare workers is of great concern. Proper hand hygiene is key, as it is the most effective infection prevention and control (IPC) principle to curbing healthcare associated infections.

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