ABSTRACT

Aim:

The present study was aimed to determine the frequency of nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage among medical and non medical staff working at Balıkesir University Health, Research and Training Hospital.

Materials And Methods:

102 subjects, 70 of whom were medical and 32 were non medical staff, were investigated. Methicilline resistance of S. aureus was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method by using Oxacilline disc according to the CLSI criteria.

Results:

Nasal S. aureus carriage was found in 10 (9,8%) persons. None of the isolated strains were MRSA. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion:

Hospital staff who are nasal carriers of S. aureus are considered to be the source of nosocomial infections caused by this bacteria. Investigation of nasal S.aureus carriage among hospital staff and implementing necessory precautions will help to decrease the nosocomial infections caused by this microorganism.