Threat of Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) Acquiring Methicillin Resistant Genes and Other Virulent Signatures within Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State

Purpose: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) form a group ofGram-positive cocci united by their lack of the virulence factor coagulase. Methicillin-resistant CoNS refers to strains of CoNS that has developed resistance to methicillin. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MR-CoNS within Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), antibiogram and molecular studies of the isolates to acertain the how CoNS which were believed to be non pathogenic acquired some pathogenic traits. Materials and Methods: A total of 299 swabs were collected from different departments in ISTH and processsed using standard microbiological procedures. The 16S rRNA sequencing was conducted on six MR-CoNS isolates. Findings: Results revealed a prevalence of 12% for MR CoNS. The distribution of the MR-CoNS isolates within ISTH revealed thus; fomites (38%), cleaners (24%), patients (16%), nurses (13%), and doctors (8%) while 5% of MR-CoNS possessed nuc, 49% possessed mecA, 41% had blaZ, while 21% had pvl genes respectively. Results of the antibiogram revealed 96% of the isolates were resistant to cloxacillin, while vancomycin and linezolid were the best drug of choice because all isolates were sensitive to these two antibiotics. The 6 MR-CoNS sequenced in this study were identified as Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staphylococcus scuiri and Staphylococcus cohnii strains. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: In conclusion, the CoNS isolated from this study revealed that there is acquisition of methicillin resistant and some virulent genes, most likely from other bacteria, which pose a major threat to Hospitals and Communities. Keywords: Methicillin Resistant Coagulase-negative Staphyloccocci (MR CoNS), mecA and pvl Genes, Public Health