Current Science Research Bulletin

Staphylococcus aureus is a common colonizer in approximately 30% of healthy individuals, yet it is one of the most frequently isolated species in community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections. This study was conducted to isolate and identify S. aureus from nasal cavities of patients with the common cold attending medical clinics in the Al-Hajjaj neighborhood of Kirkuk city. Patients (age 1–60 years) were selected between November 1 and December 1, 2023. A total of 40 nasal swabs were collected, and diagnostic tests were performed using cultural, microscopic, and biochemical methods.

Out of 14 randomly selected samples, 8 isolates of S. aureus were identified (20% prevalence), and all showed complete resistance to vancomycin. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the disk diffusion method with 9 antibiotics. The isolates showed 100% resistance to vancomycin and piperacillin, and 62% resistance to ceftriaxone. In contrast, sensitivity was observed to imipenem and ofloxacin (100%), gentamicin (87.5%), amikacin and ceftazidime (75%), and ciprofloxacin (62.5%).

The study aims the prevalence of nasal S. aureus among cold patients and emphasizes the growing concern of multidrug resistance. The findings suggest that the misuse or overuse of antibiotics, particularly without medical supervision, plays a significant role in the emergence of resistant strains, which pose a challenge to conventional treatment approaches.

Staphylococcus aureus; Nasal Cavity; Vncomycin; antibiotics

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