Silent Passengers: MRSA Nasal Carriage in High-Risk Surgical Patients – Insights from a Six-Month Prospective Study

Sheetal Goenka; Wanshisha Daphi Wanswett; Poonam Loomba; Manisha Jain; Abha Sharma

doi:10.18502/jmb.v13i4.20528

Sheetal Goenka Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), Delhi, India.
Wanshisha Daphi Wanswett Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), Delhi, India.
Poonam Loomba Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), Delhi, India.
Manisha Jain Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), Delhi, India.
Abha Sharma Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), Delhi, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmb.v13i4.20528

Keywords: Cardiothoracic surgery, healthcare-associated infections, MRSA, Nasal carriage, Neurosurgery.

Abstract

Background: Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant strains, poses significant risks for healthcare-associated infections in surgical wards. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA nasal carriage among patients in cardiothoracic and neurosurgery units.

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2025 in cardiothoracic and neurosurgery wards of a tertiary care hospital. Nasal swab samples were collected from 100 patients and processed for bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using standard microbiological methods.

Results: Among 100 nasal swab samples, 36 (36%) yielded Staphylococcus aureus growth, while 64 (64%) showed coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) or gram-negative bacteria. Of the 36 S. aureus isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed varying resistance patterns, with implications for infection control protocols in surgical settings.

Conclusion: The study provides baseline data on S. aureus nasal carriage rates in high-risk surgical wards, emphasizing the need for targeted screening and decolonization protocols to prevent healthcare-associated infections