Study of enterococcal susceptibility patterns isolated from clinical specimens in Tabriz, Iran

To identify the prevalence of enteroccoci species in clinical specimens, to determine their susceptibilities to some antibiotics for treatment, and to detect the VanA -specific 377-bp fragment from the genomic DNA of all vancomycin resistant enteroccoci [VRE]. One hundred thirty seven isolates of enterococci species were obtained from samples of patients who were referred to microbiology laboratory of two hospitals in Tabriz from March 2001 to April 2002. After identification of enterococcal species by biochemical methods, the antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was determined by standard disk diffusion test according to NCCLS. MIC tests for vancomycin were also carried out for VRE strains by macro-dilution method. The vanA-specific 377-bp fragment was amplified from the genomic DNA of all YRE by PC R. The isolates were found to consist of E. faecoljs [90.5%], E. foecium [5.84%] and Enterococcus species [3.66%]. According to susceptibility data obtained, six [4.38%] out of 137 isolates were found to be YRE with MIC e"32ig/ml. The vanA gene fragments of Enterococcus faecatjs, Enterococcus faecjum, Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus durans, were amplified from isolates and were detected. Finding of this study shows an emergence of VRE along with increased rate of resistant enterococci in Tabriz

[Nasal carriage rate of staphylococcus aureus in hospital personnel and inpatients and antibiotic pattern of isolated strains from nasal and clinical specimens in Tabriz]

Staphylococcus aureus is known as an important pathogen causing a variety of bacterial infections. Treatment of this bacterium with antibiotics has led to antibiotic-resistance, especially against methicillin [MRSA] and more recently rare resistance against vancomycin [VISA and VRSA]. MRSA strains compared to MSSA strains are resistant to most of the antibiotics in routine use. Aims of this study were to determine nasal carriage rate of S. aureus in hospital personnel and inpatients and to determine antibiotic-resistance patterns in the above mentioned isolates in the same hospitals. Staphylococcus aureus isolates collected from nose of 460 hospital personnel and inpatients [160 strains] and from clinical specimens [46 strains] in Imam Khomeini and Children medical centers in a 6 month period were studied in 2005. Antibiotic sensitivity of the collected strains were tested against 13 antibiotics used in routine treatment of S. aureus infections. Oxacillin agar was also used to screen for MRSA. Our results showed 34.7% nasal carrier rate for S. aureus in hospital personnel and patients studied. Seventy seven isolates were able to grow on oxacillin agar, indicating 37.4% MRSA strains. MRSA strains were also resistant to 4-11 antibiotics tested in this study, but MSSA strains, which were resistant to penicillin G [100%], mainly showed sensitivity to other test antibiotics. All of the MRSA and MSSA strains were sensitive to vancomycin. Generally, the resistance to methicillin was higher in clinical isolates compared to isolates recovered from nose [p< 0.001]. In this study, all of the test isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, which necessitates more caution in using this valuable antibiotic. Screening of hospital personnel and in-patients will better control the incidence of this important bacterium and use of molecular methods in detection of them, especially screening for mecA gene will provide some measures in control of hospital acquired infections