ABSTRACT
@#BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) related infections are increased in patients with Diabetes Mellitus and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of MRSA nasal colonization among individuals with diabetes mellitus. METHODOLOGY: This is a prospective cross-sectional study that included adult Filipino patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Nasal swab samples were analyzed for the presence of MRSA. RESULTS: MRSA nasal colonization has a prevalence rate of 6.8% which was associated with a history of antibiotic use. The isolates exhibited resistance to Benzypenicillin/Oxacillin (100%), Clindamycin (42.9%), Vancomycin, and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole (14.3%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MRSA in this population is higher compared with other Asian countries. No diabetic-related risk factors were identified to be associated with MRSA nasal colonization. The presence of resistance to most commonly used antibiotics should prompt clinicians appropriately treat infections caused by this organism.