Nasal Colonization and Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus Species Isolated from Healthy Veterinary Personnel at Veterinary Medical Care Facilities in Tripoli

Abstract

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<jats:title>Background/Aim:</jats:title>
<jats:p>Veterinary medical personnel may carry important antibiotic-resistant organisms playing important role in their dissemination and emergence. The purpose of the study was to investigate nasal colonization and antibiotic resistance of <jats:italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus</jats:italic> species isolated from veterinary personnel (VP).</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Methods:</jats:title>
<jats:p>A total of 47 VP were sampled, whereby nasal samples were subjected to selective and typical laboratory protocols. Presumptive isolates were further confirmed and fully characterized by the Phoenix automated microbiological system then further tested by polymase chain reactions for <jats:italic toggle="yes">mecA</jats:italic> and panton-valentine leukocidin (<jats:italic toggle="yes">pvl)</jats:italic> genes.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Results:</jats:title>
<jats:p>A total of 34 (72%) VP were colonized with various species, mostly coagulase-negative staphylococci. A collection of 34 staphylococci isolates were collected of which 21% and 6% were, respectively, positive for <jats:italic toggle="yes">mecA</jats:italic> and <jats:italic toggle="yes">pvl</jats:italic> genes expressed exclusively by <jats:italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</jats:italic> and <jats:italic toggle="yes">S. epidermidis</jats:italic>.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Conclusion:</jats:title>
<jats:p>VP may carry various staphylococci species of public health importance expressing multidrug resistant and virulent traits. Preventative measures and continuous monitoring are required to control the spread of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in veterinary clinics.</jats:p>
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