Molecular Analysis And Susceptibility Patterns of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains Causing Community- And Health Care-Associated Infections In The Northern Region of Palestine
Department of Biology and Biotechnology, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Awni Abu-Hijleh
Department of Biology and Biotechnology, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Ghaleb Adwan
Department of Biology and Biotechnology, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Elena Awwad
Central Veterinary Laboratory, Directorate of Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Palestine
Yousef Salameh
Department of Biology and Biotechnology, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Preferred Abstract (Original):
The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains among 360 healthy university students at
An-Najah National University, Palestine. For the purpose of comparing the staphylococcal cassette
Q4 chromosome methicillin resistant determinant (SCCmec) type of MRSA, 46 clinical MRSA isolates were
also included in this study. Nasal carriage of S aureus was found in 86 of 360 students (24%.) MRSA
accounted for 9% of S aureus isolates. All 86 strains of S aureus were sensitive to vancomycin. Resistance
to penicillin G, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and clindamycin was found in
98%, 93%, 33%, 23%, and 12% of the isolates, respectively. Resistance rates of the MRSA isolates were as
follows: 100% resistant to penicillin G and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, 96% to ethromycin, 52% to clindamycin,
and 48% to ciprofloxacin. No vancomycin-resistant isolates were identified. In our study, nearly
half (52%) of the MRSA isolates belonged to SCCmec types IVa and V. However, SCCmec types II and III are
represented by 48%, whereas SCCmec type I was completely absent. These findings indicate the existence
of SCCmec type IVa in both student nasal carriers and health care settings. This emphasizes the need for
implementation of a revised set of control measures in both settings. Moreover, the rational prescription
of appropriate antibiotics should also be considered.