Incidence Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Among Poultry Farm Workers :- Nwogu, Chisom

ABSTRACT viii The continuous contact between poultry farm workers and poultry could serve as a channel for transmitting methicillin-resistant S. aureus. This study hence was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of MRSA amongst poultry farm workers. Nasal and Skin swab samples were inoculated directly on mannitol salt agar and isolates identified using a combined colonial morphology and biochemical characterization protocol. Thirty- two (32) isolates representing 58.1% were recovered from the 55 samples analysed. The isolates were tested against several antibiotics in the disc diffusion technique. Levofloxacin and ofloxacin each recorded pronounced activity against the isolates with 78.1% and 87.5% activities respectively. It was also seen that 71.8% and 68.7% ofthe isolates were susceptible to Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin respectively. However, resistance to the cephalosporins was observed as 40.6% of the isolates were resistant cefepime. Twenty (20) out ofthe 32 isolates were found to be methicillin resistant indicating an overall prevalence of 62.5%. This calls for caution in the practice amongst poultry farm workers. Personal hygiene including hand washing is highly advocated.