Prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] at a Tertiary hospital in North Jordan

Steadily increasing methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] contributes significantly to mortality, morbidity, and increasing health care burden. In this study, we identified MRSA percentage rates, and patterns of resistance to various antibiotics at King Abdullah University Hospital [KAUH] in north Jordan. This retrospective study covered the period between 31/10/2003 and 31/10/2005. We tracked all MRSA infections judged by the infection control committee to be of nosocomial origin in eight different wards of the hospital. The number of isolates analyzed was 152. Susceptibility testing of staphylococcus aureus [S. aureus] to different antibiotics was done at KAUH clinical laboratory by disk diffusion testing according to NCCLS recommendations. MRSA percentage rate was 34% allover, with notably high percentage rates [about 57-70%] in adult intensive care units. No statistically significant age or gender differences in the pattern of S. aureus susceptibility have been encountered. In conclusion, MRSA percentage rate at KAUH is high and similar to rates from surrounding countries. Patterns of MRSA are also similar to those reported in literature, but no resistance to alycopeptides has been detected. Strict system to enforce proper use of antibiotics, assisted by applying proper infection control practices and surveillance in order to monitor and control nosocomial infections including MRSA