Prevalence of community- acquired methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus among tribal population of north- western Himalayas, India

Abstract

Aim: The objective of the study was to assess the percentage of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) and their antibiotic resistant patterns among the native population of north-western Himalaya regions, India. The study was conducted on three tribal communities namely Bakarwal, Gujjar and Gaddi of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) and Himachal Pradesh(HP)statesoflndia. Methodology : Identification and isolation of CA-MRSA was conducted by culturing it in the Mannitol Salt Agar and incubating at 37°C for 24 hrs. Single yellow colour colonies were selected and subjected to Gram staining as well other biochemical test such as, Coagulase, D-trehalose fermentation, maltose fermentation, DNase and (3 haemolysis i test were performed. The positive CA-MRSA strains were then subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing and | statistical analysis was done. Results : In total, 1134 nasal swab samples were collected from healthy individuals for isolation of S. aureus and antibiogram was carried out for the screening of CA-MRSA; confirmed by oxacillin screen agar. Twenty four, CA-MRSA were isolated i.e., the frequency of nasal carriage CA-MRSA was 2.11% (24/1134). MRSA isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, doxycyclins hydrochloride, respectively. Interpretation : CA-MRSA is highly prevalentinthe young age groups of tribal population.