Introduction:

Nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus in health personnel and contamination of hospital surfaces may precede nosocomial infection. This study aimed to characterize the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus found in hospital environments and healthcare staff in a hospital in the city of Cali.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 164 samples (86 from the healthcare staff and 78 from the hospital wards) were used in this study. The characterization was based on the antibiogram analysis and PCR amplification of the mecA and agr genes. The methicillin-resistant S. aureus associated with the hospital (MRSA-AH) or the MRSA associated with the community (MRSA-AC) were established by analyzing these genes.

Results:

S. aureus recorded 21.3% prevalence, and it was detected in healthcare staff (9.1%) and the hospital environment (12.2%). S. aureus found in the intensive care unit was significant with higher risk than 3 (6.1%; OR = 3.143, min = 1.086, max = 9.099; p = 0.031). Three resistance profiles were identified (I, II, and III), and the hospital environment presented a higher risk of having isolates with resistance profile I (20%; OR = 3.500; CI95% min = 0.050, max = 16.430; p = 0.147). However, isolates classified in profile III with multi-resistance to antibiotics were most prevalent in the healthcare staff (25.7%) and the hospital environment (20%). The MRSA isolates were found colonizing 11.4% health care staff and 17.1% on surfaces of the hospital environment. All MRSA isolates were SCC mec type II, compatible with hospital origin. According to the analysis of agr locus, it was possible to identify three agr groups; 51.4% belonging to agr group 1, 22.8% to agr 2, and 25.7% to agr 3.

Conclusion:

This study evidenced the presence of MRSA in the healthcare staff and different wards of the hospital. This condition could be a risk factor for developing infections acquired in the hospital.

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