Factors Associated With The Nasal Carriage Rate of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the Molecular Detection of the mecA Gene Among Athletes

the prevalence and associated risk factors with MRSA and molecular detection of mec A gene among athletes. This study was conducted in Zakho City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, nasal swabs were collected from 510 participants among various types of athletes following the completion of a questionnaire. Traditional bacteriological methods were used for the isolation of MRSA Staphylococcus aureus and oxacillin susceptibility test was performed as a preliminary step in MRSA identification. Then MRSA isolates were further analysed by PCR in order to detect the mec A gene. Out of 510 participating athletes, MRSA nasal carriage rate was 8.04% (41/510). The highest rate of infection was observed among football (10.71%) followed by gym (9.39%), but there was no significant difference between the various types of sports with MRSA (p=0.41). There was a significant relationship between gender and type of athletes (p=0.018). Nasal colonization of MRSA was significantly influenced by body mass index (p=0.006), previous use of antibiotics (p=0.02), previous surgical operation (p=0.002), duration of training/ day (p=0.025) and number of training sessions/week (p=0.047). me cA gene was then confirmed in 38/40 (95%) MRSA isolates. The MRSA infection rate in our study was higher compared to other studies conducted elsewhere and was significantly higher among male athletes; this was associated with personal hygiene and inappropriate use of antibiotics. More studies were recommended on molecular analysis of virulent genes associated with MRSA in athletes.