Nasal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization among Healthy Children in Zahedan City, 2013

Staphylococcus aureus as one of the most invasive species of staphs has been a leading cause of mortalities due to emergence of strains resistant to antibiotics. This bacterium is part of human flora being mostly colonized in the anterior part of noses. This study was performed to investigate nasal methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization among healthy children of Zahedan in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan، 2013. This cross-sectional study was conducted on healthy children referred to health-care centers of Zahedan. The children’s nasal swab culture was performed. Catalase and coagulase tests were used to identify the bacteria. Disk diffusion method was also used to determine the antibiotic sensitivity. Then، in order to verify the resistance to antibiotic، E-test was used. This study covered 700 children with a mean age of 6. 78± 5. 14 years. Haft of the study community were male and haft were female. Nasal culture for staphylococcus aureus was positive in 184 individuals of which 66 cases (35. 9%) were affected by MRSA. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus colonization was associated with age، number of family members، and hospitalization history (P<0. 001). Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus colonization was relatively high among the healthy children and was associated with age، number of family members، and hospitalization history. Further health education is recommended to prevent immense colonization among children.