Isolation and Characterization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Air Conditioning System in Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

• Main Author: Nurul Nadia, Zayadi
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English; English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS) 2018
• Subjects: SF Animal culture
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/35110/1/NURUL%20NADIA%2024%20pgs.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/35110/5/NURUL%20NADIA%20ft.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/35110/

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of major human pathogen that able cause mild to serious infections. Present treatment becomes challenging to control due to the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The present study looks on the isolation and characterization of MRSA from air conditioning system in Faculty of Resources Science and Technology, UNIMAS. The swab samples were isolated from the ventilation of central air conditioner and dipped into 0.1 % peptone water. The swab samples were then carried out for serial dilution and plating on mannitol salt agar (MSA) and incubated for 24-36 hours in room temperature. Suspected colonies of S. aureus appeared as whitish colonies on MSA agar, and have gram-positive cocci in clusters. Only 16.67% of the total samples with dilution factor of 10-5 were positive for suspected S. aureus and were chosen to proceed for the following biochemical test. However, only 25% of the isolates were tested positive for catalase test, gelatin liquefaction test, and methyl red test, except for citrate test and urease test. All of the isolates were then carried out to assess their resistance towards four antibiotics by using disc diffusion method. All of the isolates were considered as resistant towards methicillin, penicillin, vancomycin, and cephalothin. This study is significant to increase awareness to UNIMAS staffs, lecturers, and students, by providing basic data for UNIMAS authorities on the status of MRSA from air conditioning system in UNIMAS.