Nasal colonization, risk factors, and antibiotic resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Gabonese hospitals

Résumé

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of nosocomial infections and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Nasal carriage is a key reservoir for transmission and an important target for infection prevention. Data on MRSA prevalence, risk factors, and Panton–Valentine leucocidin (PVL) associated virulence in Central Africa, particularly in Gabon, remain limited. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 636 patients in seven Gabonese hospitals. Nasal swabs were collected for culture and identification of S. aureus . Methicillin resistance ( mecA ) and the LukS/F-PV gene were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the disk diffusion method. Demographic and clinical risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Results S. aureus carriage was detected in 38.2% (243/636) of patients, of whom 47.7% (116/243) had MRSA strains. The PVL gene was detected in 25.5% (62/243) of isolates and was more frequently found in MRSA strains (31.9%) than methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) (19.7%, p = 0.042). No significant associations with age or sex were observed for MRSA carriage. A multivariate analysis identified admission to specific hospitals and the dry season as independent risk factors for MRSA carriage. Among MRSA isolates, high resistance was observed to tetracycline (58.6%) and rifampicin (37.9%), with 37.1% being multidrug-resistant (MDR). Resistance to linezolid (25.9%) was also noted. Conclusion MRSA and PVL-positive strains are highly prevalent in Gabonese hospitals and are associated with specific institutional and environmental factors rather than patient-related characteristics. The high proportion of MDR strains and the emergence of linezolid resistance highlight the need to strengthen infection control measures, maintain continuous surveillance, and ensure rational antibiotic use to limit the spread of these virulent clones.

Citer ce document

Accès au document

Texte intégral en lecture en ligne, réservé aux abonnés SPHAERO et aux membres de l'institution. Se connecter

Auteur(s)

Statistiques

Consultations : 1

Téléchargements : 0