ABSTRACT
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important pathogens in nosocomial infections. About 30-50% of people harbor this organism in their nose. Since carrier status in hospital staff is a major source of S. aureus infections in hospitalized patients, it is of great importance to detect carriers for preventive strategies. In this cross-sectional study, nasal carriage of S. aureus was studied in 200 hospital staff, working in teaching hospitals, in Bandar Abbas. The nasal swabs of the subjects were cultured on blood agar and manitol salt agar media. Identificaion of isolates was performed by catalase, coagulase and DNase test. Antibiogram pattern and beta-lactamase activity of isolates were assessed according to Kirby-Bauer and acidimetric methods, respectively. Nasal carriage state was found in 33 individuals [16%]. The maximal carrier rate was observed in internal ward [40%]. The strains were quite resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins. All of the isolates were sensitive to imipenem. High degree of sensitivity [>95%] was also observed to netilin, rifampin and vancomycin. The isolates were completely resistant to colistin, lincomycin, neomycin and streptomycin. Penicillinase activity was observed in 27.3% of isolates. Regarding high frequency of nasal carriage states, more attention should be paid on screening and treatment of carriers