Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2026 Jun 16;43(2):197-206. doi: 10.17843/rpmesp.2026.432.15609.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the frequency of nasal carriers of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) among healthcare personnel of the Red de Salud Huamanga (Ayacucho, Peru) between October and November 2024.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study in 265 healthcare workers, recruited by convenience sampling. Nasal swabs were cultured on mannitol salt agar, MRSA was confirmed by cefoxitin disk diffusion (EUCAST v14.0 2024: diameter <22 mm). Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by Kirby-Bauer. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was recorded by structured questionnaire. Absolute and relative frequencies were calculated.
RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 14.0% (37/265) of the participants. Of these isolates, 64.9% (24/37) were MRSA, representing a frequency of 9.1% (24/265). Of the total Staphylococcus aureus carriers, MRSA isolates were more frequent in interns/trainees (18.9%; 7/37) and nurses (16.2%; 6/37). Outpatient clinics (27.0%; 10/37) and emergency (13.5%; 5/37) concentrated the highest number of carriers. High resistance to erythromycin was observed in MRSA (70.8%) and in methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (84.6%).
CONCLUSIONS: In the studied sample, approximately one in ten healthcare workers was a nasal carrier of MRSA. Given the convenience sampling, the findings should not be extrapolated as population prevalence. Strengthening the use of PPE, hand hy-giene, and microbiological surveillance are priority measures to reduce transmission.
PMID:42531582 | DOI:10.17843/rpmesp.2026.432.15609
