Prevalence and Antibiotic‐Resistance Profile of MRSA and MSSA on High‐Touch Hospital Surfaces in the Buea Health District, Cameroon

Abstract

Background Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of hospital‐acquired infections, with methicillin‐resistant strains posing significant treatment challenges. High‐touch hospital surfaces can serve as reservoirs for S. aureus , facilitating transmission among patients and healthcare workers. This study investigated the prevalence and antibiotic‐resistance profile of methicillin‐resistant (MRSA) and methicillin‐susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) on high‐touch hospital surfaces in the Buea Health District, Cameroon. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted in six randomly selected hospitals. Swab samples were collected from bedrails, tabletops, door handles, chairs, and light switches. S. aureus isolates were identified by mannitol fermentation, Gram staining, and catalase testing, and confirmed by detection of the nuc gene. Methicillin resistance was determined by amplification of the mecA gene. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method against 10 commonly used antibiotics. Results Of 327 samples, 15 (4.6%) were confirmed as S. aureus , comprising 1 (0.3%) MRSA and 14 (4.3%) MSSA. Contamination was highest on bedrails, followed by tabletops and door handles. The isolates were highly susceptible to gentamicin (100%), ceftriaxone (86.7%), cefoxitin (86.7%), and doxycycline (86.7%), but showed complete resistance to ampicillin (100%). Four isolates, including the MRSA strain, were multidrug resistant. Conclusion High‐touch hospital surfaces in the Buea Health District are contaminated with MRSA and MSSA. These findings highlight the need for enhanced infection prevention and control measures to reduce transmission in hospital settings.