Summary
The aim of the study was to determine the carriage rate of S. aureus among first and third year students of Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, to evaluate the risk factors for S. aureus carriage and the susceptibility of isolated strains to some antimicrobials.
Material and methods. The study in Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine was carried out in 2019–2020. 1st and 3rd year medical students who agreed to participate in the study filled in a questionnaire adapted to assess the risk factors for S. aureus carrying. Samples were taken from the nasal cavities and pharynx of the respondents. S. aureus strains were identified using conventional culture methods and identification tests. The susceptibility of isolated S. aureus strains to some antimicrobial agents has been determined.
Results. 36.2% of respondents were S. aureus carriers. 59.0% of S. aureus were isolated from the nose. Higher volumes of S. aureus carriers were found among 3rd year students (40.1%), men (47.4%), persons who worked in medicalin stitutions (47.7%), persons who brush their teeth 3 times a day and more often (62.5%), in groups of non smokers (40.4%), respondents with chronic diseases (54.2%). 37.4% of all isolated strains were susceptible to all tested antimicrobials. The least susceptible strains were to penicillin (43.9%).
Conclusions. More than a third (36.2%) of the study participants were S. aureus carriers. 32.1% of first-year and 40.1% of third-year students were colonized with S. aureus. Risk factors for colonization include gender, health care work, frequent tooth brushing, and chronic and endocrine disorders. Smoking and the presence of skin diseases reduce the risk of S. aureus colonization. The lowest susceptibility of isolated S. aureus strains was found to penicillin. All isolated S. aureus strains were susceptible to methicillin, rifampin and mupirocin.
