Abstract:
Introduction. The human nasopharynx is colonized by a wide array of microorganisms, including
Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumonia.
After the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine and the pneumococcal
vaccine, S.aureus or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains the major pathogen that
causes pneumonia in children.
Aim of study. The aim of this study was to elucidate the epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of
S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) in children under five years with acute respiratory
infections.
Methods and materials. A prospective observational descriptive study was carried out within the National
project "The impact of immunization on the morbidity and mortality of children with respiratory diseases
in the Republic of Moldova"(project code) - 20.80009.8007.08. The nasopharyngeal aspirate technique was
performed for the collection of specimens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to
EUCAST standards.
Results. A total of 110 specimens collected from children under five years of age, who were admitted with
symptoms of acute respiratory infections. The mean age of the children was 16,57 months. Bacteriological
examination of 28 nasopharyngeal specimens identified S. aureus as an agent that colonizes the
nasopharynx. All 28 children had been vaccinated. In 32.14% of the samples, S.aureus was associated with
other microorganisms, such as Moraxella Catarrhalis (14.28%), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (17.85%) and
others. (7,14%). S.aureus showed an increased resistance to penicillins (ampicillin – 78% and amoxicillin
– 82%), and a high sensitivity to protected penicillins and oxacillin (92,9%). As well, it showed an increased
sensitivity to antibiotics from the group of cephalosporins, macrolides, carbapenems, aminoglycosides and
tetracyclines (92,9%). Two (7,1%) of the isolates were multidrug resistant, of which 100% were MRSA.
Conclusion. In this study, the nasopharyngeal carriage prevalence of S. aureus was high, with a small
proportion of these colonizers being MRSA. The antimicrobial resistance among the isolates was generally
low. An ongoing surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of all S. aureus isolates is crucial for
treatment of MRSA, and for developing current and customized national guidelines based on etiological
evidence and susceptibility spectrum so that therapeutic decisions will become targeted and effective.
