Investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization on stethoscopes

Aim: staphylococcus aureus is an important nosocomial infectious agent. methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa) infections are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and health care costs. in this study, the diaphrams of routinely used stethoscopes in pamukkale university education, training and research center were screened for mrsa colonization. materials and methods: in pamukkale university education, training and research center, one - hundred and three stethoscopes used by doctors’ (68 internal medicine, 30 surgery and 5 intensive care units personnel) were sampled. totally swab samples of stethoscopes’ diaphragms have cultured on mannitol salt agar. methicilin resistance have been screened among conventionally identifi ed s.aureus by kirby-bauer disk diffusion method. results: out of 5 (4.9%) samples were positive for s.aureus while only one (1.0%) isolate have been identifi ed as mrsa. conclusion: microorganisms are easily spread by the common items used in the hospital environment. stethoscopes may play a role in the spread of hospital infections. stethoscopes should be included in s.aureus screening procedures from hospital environment.