Identification and antibiotic susceptibility profiling of Staphylococcus aureus in oral samples from students at BRAC University

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in oral swabs collected from Brac University students and assessed the antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates. A total of 50 samples were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar and subsequently on Nutrient Agar. Of these, 32 samples exhibited bacterial growth, with S. aureus identified in 16 cases. The prevalence of S. aureus was higher among male students compared to female students. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis confirmed the presence of S. aureus, as indicated by distinct 275 bp bands in positive samples. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that 75% of the isolates were resistant to both Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin, which are classified as Fluoroquinolones. In contrast, the majority of isolates remained sensitive to Linezolid, Chloramphenicol, and Doxycycline. These findings underscore the necessity for continuous surveillance of oral S. aureus to monitor resistance patterns and guide effective treatment strategies.