Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug resistance among food handlers in a hospital food and nutrition unit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Foodborne diseases are a major public health concern, and food handlers play a key role in the transmission of pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. This study evaluated the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus among 50 food handlers working in the food and nutrition unit of a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Samples from hands and nasal cavities were analyzed using culture-based methods and identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 12% of hand samples and 22% of nasal swabs. High resistance rates were observed for penicillin, erythromycin, and ampicillin. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus represented 29% of hand isolates and 47% of nasal isolates, and 26% were multidrug resistant. These findings indicate that food handlers may act as reservoirs and transmission sources of antimicrobial resistance in hospital food service settings, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring, strict hygiene practices, and antimicrobial stewardship programs.