Prevalence of nasal carriage and methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus aureus among hotel workers in Sétif province, Algeria.

INTRODUCTION

Nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), represents a potential source of transmission in community and occupational settings. Hotel employees may serve as asymptomatic carriers due to frequent interpersonal and environmental contact, yet they are rarely included in surveillance programs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in four hotels in Sétif Province, Algeria. Nasal swabs were collected from 115 employees and processed using standard microbiological methods. Methicillin resistance was determined by the cefoxitin disk diffusion test. Demographic characteristics, recent antibiotic use, and potential risk factors were recorded. Phenotypically confirmed MRSA isolates were analyzed for the presence of the mecA gene.

RESULTS

Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 26 samples (22.6%), including 9 MRSA isolates (7.8%). Carriage was more frequent among males, individuals aged 30-45 years, and rural residents. No significant association was observed between recent antibiotic use and MRSA carriage. One hotel showed notably higher prevalence rates. Resistance was highest to penicillin G (65.4%), followed by oxacillin, cefoxitin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (34.6%). Moderate resistance was observed to kanamycin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin, while lower resistance rates were found for erythromycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and clindamycin. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, rifampicin, and streptomycin. The mecA gene was detected in 66.7% of MRSA isolates.

CONCLUSION

This study shows a moderate prevalence of S. aureus and mecA-positive MRSA among hotel workers, suggesting occupational exposure may facilitate community dissemination and supporting the inclusion of non-clinical, high-contact occupations in antimicrobial resistance surveillance programs.