Infection of neonates with Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is the second most common pathogen found in all cases of nosocomial infections globally. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of infection among preterm and critically ill newborns in neonatal intensive care units. Newborns are predomina...

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Main Authors: Jerome Adinkrah Obeng, William Gariba Akanwariwiak, Eugene Adade, Augustina Angelina Sylverken
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Society for Microbiology 2025-06-01
Series:Microbiology Spectrum
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Online Access:https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.01749-24
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author Jerome Adinkrah Obeng
William Gariba Akanwariwiak
Eugene Adade
Augustina Angelina Sylverken
author_facet Jerome Adinkrah Obeng
William Gariba Akanwariwiak
Eugene Adade
Augustina Angelina Sylverken
author_sort Jerome Adinkrah Obeng
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is the second most common pathogen found in all cases of nosocomial infections globally. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of infection among preterm and critically ill newborns in neonatal intensive care units. Newborns are predominantly susceptible to S. aureus and MRSA colonization and infection due to their weaker immune systems. Treating infections in newborns associated with S. aureus and MRSA has proven challenging due to decreasing susceptibility to first-line antibiotics, leaving clinicians with few treatment options. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of hospital-acquired MRSA among neonates at the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital in Ghana, the susceptibility profile to selected antibiotics, and the associated risk factors. Venous blood samples were taken from each of the neonatal participants and inoculated into Brain Heart Infusion broth. Standard biochemical tests were performed, and 36.0% (9/25) of the S. aureus isolates were identified as MRSA. The MRSA isolates were more susceptible to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, tetracycline, and cephalexin but resistant to cloxacillin, ampicillin, roxithromycin, and lincomycin. The study found that gestational period (χ2 = 3.865, P = 0.049) and longer length of hospital stay (χ2 = 10.911, P = 0.012) were statistically significant for S. aureus and MRSA infection. Surveillance systems should be put in place by health authorities at the hospital, targeting decolonization of MRSA strains at the hospital as well as monitoring antibiotic resistance that occurs through inappropriate access and use of antibiotics.IMPORTANCEThe methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) threat has become a source of concern for medical facilities and patients worldwide. MRSA infections are more difficult to treat, resulting in higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Prematurity, low birth weight, method of delivery, mode of resuscitation after birth, feeding method, prolonged hospital stay, kangaroo mother care, and overcrowding in hospitals are all risk factors for MRSA infection. Overcrowding is a common issue in the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital (DPH), as it is in most hospitals around the country. The study intended to bring to the notice of mothers, hospital staff, and caregivers the risk factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among neonates at DPH.
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spelling doaj-art-ad80799a739c40ff8626d03c3fcd31862025-08-20T02:05:20ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologyMicrobiology Spectrum2165-04972025-06-0113610.1128/spectrum.01749-24Infection of neonates with Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, GhanaJerome Adinkrah Obeng0William Gariba Akanwariwiak1Eugene Adade2Augustina Angelina Sylverken3Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is the second most common pathogen found in all cases of nosocomial infections globally. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of infection among preterm and critically ill newborns in neonatal intensive care units. Newborns are predominantly susceptible to S. aureus and MRSA colonization and infection due to their weaker immune systems. Treating infections in newborns associated with S. aureus and MRSA has proven challenging due to decreasing susceptibility to first-line antibiotics, leaving clinicians with few treatment options. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of hospital-acquired MRSA among neonates at the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital in Ghana, the susceptibility profile to selected antibiotics, and the associated risk factors. Venous blood samples were taken from each of the neonatal participants and inoculated into Brain Heart Infusion broth. Standard biochemical tests were performed, and 36.0% (9/25) of the S. aureus isolates were identified as MRSA. The MRSA isolates were more susceptible to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, tetracycline, and cephalexin but resistant to cloxacillin, ampicillin, roxithromycin, and lincomycin. The study found that gestational period (χ2 = 3.865, P = 0.049) and longer length of hospital stay (χ2 = 10.911, P = 0.012) were statistically significant for S. aureus and MRSA infection. Surveillance systems should be put in place by health authorities at the hospital, targeting decolonization of MRSA strains at the hospital as well as monitoring antibiotic resistance that occurs through inappropriate access and use of antibiotics.IMPORTANCEThe methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) threat has become a source of concern for medical facilities and patients worldwide. MRSA infections are more difficult to treat, resulting in higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Prematurity, low birth weight, method of delivery, mode of resuscitation after birth, feeding method, prolonged hospital stay, kangaroo mother care, and overcrowding in hospitals are all risk factors for MRSA infection. Overcrowding is a common issue in the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital (DPH), as it is in most hospitals around the country. The study intended to bring to the notice of mothers, hospital staff, and caregivers the risk factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among neonates at DPH.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.01749-24Staphylococcus aureusMRSA isolatesMRSA infectionneonatal intensive care unit
spellingShingle Jerome Adinkrah Obeng
William Gariba Akanwariwiak
Eugene Adade
Augustina Angelina Sylverken
Infection of neonates with Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana
Microbiology Spectrum
Staphylococcus aureus
MRSA isolates
MRSA infection
neonatal intensive care unit
title Infection of neonates with Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana
title_full Infection of neonates with Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana
title_fullStr Infection of neonates with Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Infection of neonates with Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana
title_short Infection of neonates with Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana
title_sort infection of neonates with staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus at dormaa presbyterian hospital ghana
topic Staphylococcus aureus
MRSA isolates
MRSA infection
neonatal intensive care unit
url https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.01749-24
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