Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]

ABSTRACT

The isolation rate of MRSA from different specimens was determined. Between January 1999 and June 2002, 448 out of 1322 [35.67%] isolates were found to be MRSA. A detailed study of these isolates showed a high prevalence of MRSA in patients in ICU's and special care wards. The yield of MRSA was highest from endotracheal secretions [100%], bronchial washings [70%], and catheter tips [51.85%] followed by sputum [40.54%], ear swabs [40%], fluids [37.25%], pus/wound swabs [34.83%] and blood cultures [28.07%]. Vancomycin remains the drug of choice with no resistance detected. The resistance to ciprofloxacin was 86.61%, to erythromycin 85.5% and to gentamicin 81.03%. After vancomycin, fusidic acid was the most sensitive drug with only 21.21% of the isolates exhibiting resistance. In view of the high prevalence of MRSA in our community, authorities must introduce more effective measures to control its spread; otherwise, it may seriously disrupt the efficient delivery of the health system in the country