Nasal Carriage of Uncommon Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci in Nurses and Physicians of Tehran University Hospitals.
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have been identified as a major cause of nosocomial infections. Nasal carriage of CoNS in nurses and physicians is known to be an important risk factor for potential hospital infections. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of nasal carriage of uncommon coagulase-negative staphylococci among nurse and physician staffs of Tehran University Hospitals. A total of 116 CoNS were isolated from anterior nares of the study participants working in different wards of the hospitals. Thirteen uncommon CoNS were identified using phenotypic and biochemical methods, were subsequently confirmed by API kits. Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus capitis species accounted for 53.85%, 30.77%, and 15.38% from the isolates, respectively. Six isolates (46.15%) were found to be resistant to methicillin. In conclusion, screening of healthcare workers for uncommon CoNS colonization along with identification and testing for susceptibility of cultured isolates is of paramount importance in strengthening effective nosocomial infection control and prevention measures.
Urology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Elaheh
E
Salimi
Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Zahra
Z
Pakbaz
Urology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AND Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Reza
MR
Pourmand
Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Payman
P
Avakh Majelan
Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Sanaz
S
Dehbashi
D003030:Coagulase / Q000378:metabolism; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D009726:Nurses; D015995:Prevalence; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D003030:Coagulase
Coagulase negative staphylococci; Healthcare workers; Nasal carriage