S. aureus and MRSA Nasal Carriage in Dental Students: A Comprehensive Approach ^†

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA are important clinical pathogens representing a serious public health problem. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage among dental students, identify the factors that influence this carriage, and characterize MRSA. A prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA carriage of 25.2% and 0.86% was estimated, respectively, and SCCmec Type VI, was identified in all isolated MRSA. The low MRSA colonization rate can reflect good infection control practices followed by students.

1. Introduction

Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen and carriage prevalence differs between populations. In dental practice, S. aureus transmission can occur between patients and dentists, and from contaminated surfaces and materials used during medical appointments. Therefore, monitorization of the presence of S. aureus, namely methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), in the dentistry teaching setting is important for the effective acquisition of infection and antibiotic resistance control practices [1].

2. Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 at a Dentistry University in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal, to evaluate the prevalence of S. aureus/MRSA in dental students. Self-collected nasal swab specimens were obtained and bacterial isolates were identified using Mannitol Salt Agar, a MRSA chromogen agar and coagulase test. MRSA were confirmed with Mueller-Hinton agar/6 μg/mL oxacillin/4% NaCl and cefoxitin disk diffusion test. Epidemiological molecular characterization of MRSA was performed using a multiplex PCR assay for typing of Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), important for the identification and definition of MRSA clones [2]. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential methodologies; a significance level of 5% was set in the latter case.

Ethics Committee Statement

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Ethics Committee of Egas Moniz (protocol code 668; date of approval: 28 November 2018).

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA Nasal Carriage in Dental Students and Risk Factors

A sample of 464 students was obtained representing 55.4% of all dental students; 117 students were colonized with S. aureus and 4 had MRSA isolates, thus, a prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA carriage of 25.2% and 0.86% was estimated, respectively. A significative statistical relationship was found between curricular year and S. aureus carriage (p = 0.05), showing a higher colonization rate by 4th year students. A significative relation (p = 0.024) was also found between previous surgery and S. aureus colonization (p = 0.008). Additionally, male students were significantly more colonized than females (p = 0.037).

SCCmec Type VI was identified in all 7 MRSA isolates (four positive students) (Figure 1). SCCmec Type VI, characteristic of some MRSA clones normally associated with community infections, although less described in similar studies, matches the fact these students are starting their clinical practice [2].

3.2. Molecular Characterization of MRSA Isolates

The estimated prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA is lower than found in other studies [1]. The higher S. aureus colonization rate by 4th grade students may be justified by their first contact with patients in the clinic. The higher S. aureus colonization rate in male students is also common [3]. The low colonization rate of MRSA (0.86%) can reflect good infection control practices followed by students. Additional studies would be interesting to characterize colonization patterns throughout Dentistry courses.