Incidence Of Nasal Carriage Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus (Lureus Among Children Of Primary School Age Of Umuariaga Community In Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia Sate.

ABSTRACT

Methicillin (oxacillin) resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a feared strain of Staphylococcus aureus responsible for several difficult to treat infections in humans. The incidence of this organism was studied among children of primary school age of Umuariga Community in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State. Of the 100 nasal swab specimens (67 males and 33 females) investigated, all of which yielded positive Staphylococcus aureus colonies, 56 (56%) were resistant, 31(31%) were susceptible and 13 (13%) were intermediately sensitive to oxacillin. This result showed high incidence of MRSA among the population studied and requires urgent attention to be given for the problem of hygiene, antibiotic abuse and under dosage especially among children.