Screening of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus in patients attending dental teaching Hospital.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a major health care associated and community associated problem . Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the commensal organisms found in normal healthy individual’s anterior nares, throat and axilla. It is multi drug resistant organism and involved as one of the major cause of hospital acquired infections (HAI). Objectives: The present study was undertaken to know the prevalence of MRSA in patients attending dental Out Patient Department (OPD) in a teaching dental hospital. Material and methods: Total 100 patients were included with mean age 33.6 + 13.9, out of which 51 were female patients and 49 were male patients .Swabs collected from anterior nares and throat were plated on Mannitol Salt Agar which showed no growth for MRSA. Conclusion:Prevalance of MRSA in our Dental college is nil , so pre-requisite for screening MRSA before any dental procedure is not necessary.