Prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Abeokuta, Nigeria

This study examined the prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in clinical samples of patients in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria using standard recommended procedures. A total of 338 clinical specimens of Pus, Aspirate, Ear and Wound swabs were collected from three major health facilities in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Each sample was cultured for bacteria isolates and examined for colonial and cellular morphology while biochemical identification was performed. Of the clinical samples collected, 50.3% were collected from male and highest rate of 37.9% was from age group 0-9 years and least rate of 7.6% was from age 10-19 and 40-49years. Only 32.9% samples were ear swabs, wound swabs (29.2%) and lowest rate of 16.8% for aspirate. Of the 161 Staphylococcus aureus (32.2%) isolated; there was no significant disparity found in relation to the study sites (c2=7.145, p-value = 0.308). The present study indicated a high prevalence rate of MRSA that require empirical and urgent intervention to prevent staphylococcal infection among the hospital patients and its outbreak.