In this study, it was aimed to investigate the rate of nasal Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage of the healthcare professionals in the province of Kars.

This study was conducted in Kars State Hospital and Birth and Child Hospital between June 1st 2005 to 30 March 2006. The susceptibilities of the Staphylococcus aureus to methiciline and other antibiotics were characterized by laboratory identification tests with the method of Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion suggested by NCCLS.

Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated from 29 (15.1%) of all the participants (191). One out of 29 had MRSA carriage (overall MRSA carriage rate 0.5%). The rate of carrier status 16% of physicians, 12.5% of healthcare professionals (except physicians) and 22 of supportive personnel were founded and there were no statistically significant difference for the presence of nasal Staphylococcus aureus between the occupational groups and the clinical departments. The highest antibiotic resistance was for penicillin G (100%). There were no resistance against mupirocin and vancomycin.