FREQUENCY OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) COLONIZATION IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: A growing number of cases of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Unfortunately, there is a lack of information regarding the frequency of MRSA in SSTIs among our local population.

Objective: To determine the frequency of nasal MRSA colonization in patients with recurrent SSTIs and assess its association with lesion-confirmed MRSA infection.

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary care hospital, Malir Cantt. Karachi from March 2025 to June 2025. Patients aged 10-60 years with recurrent community-associated SSTIs were included. Skin lesion samples were taken to detect infection, and nasal swabs were taken to detect colonization. Conventional microbiology methods and CLSI-recommended susceptibility tests were performed. Patients with MRSA received antimicrobial treatment followed by repeat microbiological assessment. Recurrent SSTIs were defined as ≥2 episodes within 6 months. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Among 195 patients, 59% (n=115) of lesion samples had MRSA, suggesting a high prevalence of MRSA-related SSTIs. Recurrent folliculitis (38.46%) and furunculosis (22.05%) were the most common types. Nasal MRSA colonization was identified in 32 patients (16.4), Follow-up cultures showed microbiological clearance in most treated patients.

Conclusion: Recurrent SSTIs are highly endemic for MRSA, with concurrent nasal colonization observed in a subset of patients. It's crucial to differentiate between infection and colonization, further prospective studies are required to evaluate long-term treatment outcomes.