Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec Typing of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Causing Surgical Site Infections in Gombe, Northeast Nigeria

Background: Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections worldwide. While etiologic agents vary by country, staphylococci account for a significant portion. Resistance in staphylococci, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is a major concern, as it confers resistance to nearly all beta-lactam antibiotics except ceftaroline. MRSAharbours about 13 mobile genetic elements termed staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This study aimed to determine the SCCmec types among MRSAcausing SSIs in Gombe, Nigeria. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study was conducted among adults who had surgery in Gombe, Gombe state, Nigeria. Organisms were identified using VITEK 2, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect mecA, and SCCmec genes from the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates using individual primers. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire; and incidence, proportions, and frequencies were all analysed using SPSS version 26. Results: The incidence of SSIs caused by Staphylococci in Gombe was 9.8%. Staphylococcus haemolyticus (34.1%) was the predominant species, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (29.3%), and Staphylococcus hominis ssp. hominis (17.1%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (12.2%), while Staphylococcus lugdunensis, schleiferi and lentus were the least prevalent, with one (1) isolate each (2.4%). SCCmec type V was the predominant genetic element identified. Conclusion: The incidence of SSIs caused by Staphylococci is relatively high in Gombe, with Staphylococcus haemolyticus as the predominant organism, while SCCmec V was the main mobile genomic element among MRSAisolates causing SSIs in Gombe, Nigeria.