Abstract

PREVALENCE AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PATTERN OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) STRAINS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL – A PROSPECTIVE STUDY.

*Nilima R. Patil and Dr. M. V. Ghorpade.

Abstract

Background & objectives: - Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of hospital and community acquired infections. Its prevalence varies with country and with hospitals within a country. The objective of the present study was to determine prevalence of methicillin resistance in S. aureus and to estimate their antimicrobial resistance profile in strains isolated from various clinical specimens. Material and methods: - In this prospective study, a total 1000 non repeated clinical isolates of S. aureus from various clinical specimens. Isolates were identified as S. aureus as per the standard protocol. Antibiotic sensitivity testing of isolates of S. aureus to various antimicrobial discs was carried out by using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method using antimicrobial discs were obtained from Himedia laboratories pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, India. Zone diameters were measured following CLSI criteria. MRSA were identified using cefoxitin disk. Result: - Out of 1000 strains of S. aureus isolates. Methicillin resistance was seen in 265 (26.50%) strains based on Cefoxitin disk susceptibility test. MRSA isolates showed greater resistance to multiple drugs than methicillin sensitive S. aureus isolates. 75.78% MRSA strains were multidrug resistant. However, all strains were sensitive to vancomycin. Conclusion: The regular surveillance for MRSA may be helpful to prevent spread and reduce emergence of resistance by formulating and monitoring the antibiotic policy as well as this may help in preserving antibiotic like vancomycin which is required only for life-threatening staphylococcal diseases.

Keywords: S. aureus, MRSA, prevalence, multidrug resistance.