Abstract

METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS - PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOGRAM IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important nosocomial pathogen worldwide and has a limited treatment options. The present study was done to determine the prevalence and antibiogram of MRSA in a tertiary care hospital. This was a retrospective study conducted in January 2013. The records were taken from the Microbiology department from March 2011 to April 2012. Modified Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method was used as per CLSI guidelines for antibiotic susceptibility testing against the following antibiotics - Ampicillin (10 μg), Ciprofloxacin (5 μg), Gentamicin (10μg), Clindamycin (2 μg), Cefuroxime (30 μg), Cefotaxime (30 μg) , Erythromycin (15 μg), Ofloxacin (5 μg), Co-trimoxazole (1.25/23.75 μg), Vancomycin (30 μg) and Linezolid (30 μg). The total S. aureus isolates collected in the present study was 965, out of which 407 (42.17%) were MRSA. Highest percentage of MRSA was obtained from pus and wound swab and least from sputum. Highest % of resistance was seen with Ampicillin (97.7%), followed by Ciprofloxacin (76.16%) and least with Vancomycin (2.7%) and Linezolid (0%). There is a growing concern about the rapid rise in resistance of S. aureus to antimicrobial agents. The present study showed a high level prevalence of MRSA and resistance against commonly used antimicrobials. The regular surveillance of prevalence and antibiogram of MRSA will be useful for developing an effective antibiotic policy and for limiting the use of powerful antibiotics like Vancomycin as initial treatment and save it for the treatment of resistant and life-threatening infections.

Keywords: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Nosocomial infection, Vancomycin, Susceptibility pattern.