Screening for mrsa as a preventive approach prior to nasotracheal intubation

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the carriage of MRSA strains due to nasotracheal intubation into the lower respiratory tract where they can be a potential source of infection leading to high morbidity and mortality. Materials: Study was done on 100 patients (50 intubated nasally and 50 intubated orally). Swabs were taken from the anterior nares, throat and tip of the endotracheal tube (ETT tip), cultured on conventional media and sensitivity was determined. Results: In study group 1, nasal swabs showed growth of MRSA in 21 (42%) patients and out of these 16 (76%) patients showed growth of MRSA strains from ETT tip. MRSA was not detected from ETT tip in any of the patients in study group 2. Screening for MRSA should be done before intubation by nasal route.