Methicilliin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) Colonization on Xavier Nursing students
Start Date
April 2026
Location
2nd floor - Library
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is a form of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that causes severe skin infections and is resistant to antibiotics, making it difficult to treat. MRSA is more often found in health care environments where antibiotics are used often, including hospitals and nursing homes, but can be introduced into the community by health care workers. We hypothesized that nursing students exposed to clinical environments would be more likely to be colonized with MRSA. Participants were recruited from first-, second-, and fourth-year nursing students at Xavier University. They completed a survey on demographics and hygiene behaviors, and provided hand, nasal, and phone samples collected via sterile swabs. Samples were cultured on mannitol salt agar, incubated, and subcultured onto CHROMagar. They were then analyzed for Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. Surprisingly, upon initial sampling first-year students who hadn’t been on clinical rotations yet had higher levels of MRSA colonization in comparison with fourth-year students who had been in clinical rotations. This may reflect improved hygiene practices and suggests that dormitory living may also be a factor to consider.
Methicilliin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) Colonization on Xavier Nursing students
2nd floor - Library
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is a form of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that causes severe skin infections and is resistant to antibiotics, making it difficult to treat. MRSA is more often found in health care environments where antibiotics are used often, including hospitals and nursing homes, but can be introduced into the community by health care workers. We hypothesized that nursing students exposed to clinical environments would be more likely to be colonized with MRSA. Participants were recruited from first-, second-, and fourth-year nursing students at Xavier University. They completed a survey on demographics and hygiene behaviors, and provided hand, nasal, and phone samples collected via sterile swabs. Samples were cultured on mannitol salt agar, incubated, and subcultured onto CHROMagar. They were then analyzed for Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. Surprisingly, upon initial sampling first-year students who hadn’t been on clinical rotations yet had higher levels of MRSA colonization in comparison with fourth-year students who had been in clinical rotations. This may reflect improved hygiene practices and suggests that dormitory living may also be a factor to consider.
