Prevalence of Risk Factors Associated with MRSA Nasal Carriage among HIV-Patients on HAART at a Tertiary Hospital in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Author(s):

Job Patience Abiye, Alo Moses, Nwokah Easter Gospel and Aaron Umasoye Udogadi*

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is said to be any strain of Staphylococcus aureus that has evolved, through the process of natural selection, resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, which include the penicillin (methicillin, dicloxacillin, naficillin, oxacillin, etc.) and the cephalosporins. Colonization of anterior nares of HIV positive patients with MRSA is a risk factor for a wide range of invasive infections. This study was intended to determine the prevalence of MRSA using PBP2’ Latex agglutination test and the assessment of the percentage prevalence of some risk factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization of HIV positive patients. However, PBP2’ Latex Agglutination Test showed that 32 (39.02%) isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were positive for PBP2’. Also, 56 (25.81%) singles, 158 (72.81%) married and 3 (1.38%) divorced HIV positive adults in this study and 3 (1.38%) singles, 32 (14.75%) married HIV positive adults were MRSA carriers. Obviously, this result trend was attributed to several factors including overcrowded settlements, personal and public hygiene, poverty and illiteracy. Therefore, patients with HIV infection should practice the best forms of personal and public hygiene and avoid hand sneezing to help control the rising incidence of MRSA.