[Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in medical students: importance in nosocomial transmission].
BACKGROUND
Staphylococcus aureus is the main pathogen causing nosocomial infections. Health professionals, including medical students, could be a source of transmission. The aims of the study were to determine the rate of nasal carriage of S.aureus susceptible and resistant to methicillin (MRSA) and evaluate the knowledge and adherence that students had about hand hygiene.


METHODS
The study included medical students attached to the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre (Madrid, Spain). We collected samples from both nasal vestibules, and the antimicrobial susceptibility was determined on all isolates. Data collection was performed using a self-administered questionnaire that included risk factors for colonization, hygiene habits and knowledge of hand hygiene protocols.


RESULTS
Of the 140 students included, 55 (39.3%) were colonized by S.aureus, and 3 (2,1%) by MRSA. The exposure to antibiotics in the last 3 months was lower in colonized students (12.3% vs. 25.9%, P=.03). Self-assessment showed that 56.4% of students almost never washed their hands before to attending to the first patient, and only 38.6% always washed after examining patients. More than a third (35.7%) ignored the hand hygiene protocol, and 38.6% had not received specific formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Medical students should be included in hospital infection control programs. Hand hygiene training should be given to students before they begin their practices in the hospital.
Servicio de Microbiología Clínica, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
Sara
S
López-Aguilera
María Del Mar
Mdel M
Goñi-Yeste
Laura
L
Barrado
M Carmen
MC
González-Rodríguez-Salinas
Joaquín R
JR
Otero
Fernando
F
Chaves
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D064548:Hand Sanitizers; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D064548:Hand Sanitizers
Colonización nasal; España; Estudiantes de medicina; Hand hygiene; Higiene de manos; Medical students; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Nasal colonization; Spain; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina