en Microbiology Microbiology پژوهشي orginal article <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Background & Aims</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">: </span></b><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:9.0pt">Staphylococcus aureus</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:9.0pt"> is a common bug responsible for infections ranging from minor skin infections to fatal sepsis. Common colonizing sites include anterior nares, hand surfaces. Inadequate use of antibiotics has led to development of resistance giving rise to bugs like MRSA. Nursing staff particularly has a greater duration of patient contact and is thus more likely to become MRSA carrier- hence chosen as study population. This study aimed to study the prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity profile of MRSA isolated from nasal carriers among nursing staff.</span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:9.0pt">Material & Methods:</span></i></b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:9.0pt"> A short-term cross-sectional study done in which nursing staff members were screened for nasal carriage of MRSA by collecting swabs from anterior nares. <i>S.aureus</i> isolates were screened for Methicillin susceptibility using cefoxitin disc. MRSA thus obtained were studied for antibiotic sensitivity profile by using Vitek-2 compact.</span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:9.0pt">Results:</span></i></b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:9.0pt"> Study showed the nasal carriage of MRSA as 13.3%. Maximum carriage was in staff members with >5 years of work experience in hospital. All isolates showed 100% resistance to Ampicillin, Erythromycin, Amoxiclav. Sensitivity reported was 12.5% to Ciprofloxacin; 37.5% to Clindamycin and Amikacin; 87.5% to Cotrimoxazole. All isolates were 100% sensitive to Linezolid, Vancomycin, Teicoplanin and Rifampin.</span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:9.0pt">Conclusion:</span></i></b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:9.0pt"> This study showed a significant carriage of MRSA in the nursing staff. Considering that nurses are more involved in-patient care activity, regular screening should be done. Also, the importance of handwashing should be emphasized. Strict implementation of hospital infection control norms is necessary.</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&nbsp;</span></span></span> Antibiotic Sensitivity, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Nasal Carriage 65 71 http://ijrabms.umsu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-274-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Ashiya Loomba ashiyaloomba2118@gmail.com 10031947532846002472 10031947532846002472 No MBBS student, MAMC Agroha(Hisar), Haryana, India Pragati Grover pragatigrover79@gmail.com 10031947532846002473 10031947532846002473 Yes Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology MAMC Agroha (Hisar), Haryana, India Amanjot Nokwal amanjotsinghmed@gmail.com 10031947532846002474 10031947532846002474 No MBBS student, MAMC Agroha (Hisar), Haryana, India Bharti Arora arora.amitbharti@yahoo.com 10031947532846002475 10031947532846002475 No Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology MAMC Agroha (Hisar), Haryana, India