Characterization of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus Isolated from Neonatal, Postnatal and Labour Wards in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction: Staphylococcus haemolyticus is an important etiological agent of hospital infections but its epidemiological significance has not been studied in our institution. We therefore determine the prevalence, colonization rates and source of hospital-acquired Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus (MRSH) in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: Axilla and umbilicus swab samples were collected from neonates (346), hand, nasal and axilla from health care workers (125), HVS from mothers (26) at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and also samples from the environment (28). Using standard bacteriological methods, the samples were screened for S. haemolyticus. Possible person–to-person transmission was investigated by means of pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Results: Out of 525 samples collected, 112 (21.3%) were S. haemolyticus of which 17 (15.2%) were (MRSH). Neonates’ samples had 8 (15.0%) MRSH and 6 (30%) were Medical Doctors had their samples positive for MRSH. Also, 3 (11.1%) nurses’ samples were MRSH. None of the S. haemolyticus obtained from the mothers and the environment was MRSH. Pulsed field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) identified three main PFGE types (Type 1, 2 and 3) in the hospital. Type 1 and type 3 from babies in Neonatal unit. Type 2 and type 3 in babies from post-natal ward. Four doctors in the labour and neonatal wards had type 1 which was also recovered from a nurse on the labour ward. Conclusion: It appeared that the source of MRSH was from the hand and anterior nares of Healthcare workers in labour ward and Neonatal unit. This further highlights the need for proper infection con-trol practice in the institution, especially single use of gloves for patients’ management.