Prevalence and Pattern of Methicillin Resistant <i>Staphylococcus Aureus</i> in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Currently, there is high level of antimicrobial resistance among microorganisms  circulating in hospital environment as evidenced by microbial isolates from inpatients and organisms  causing nosocomial infections. This trend is on the increase consequently there is prolong hospital stay, increased hospital bills, and increased morbidity and mortality. The widespread use of antimicrobial  agents such as the â- lactam antibiotics has contributed to the emergence of Methicillin Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA); which has become a “hard nut to crack “in terms of treatment today.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus  aureus(MRSA) in clinical specimens sent to clinical microbiology laboratory for analysis and to determine the vancomycin sensitivity of the MRSA isolates.

Design: The study was conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Nigeria. This was a prospective, systemic microbiological study of clinical specimens whereby sequential Staphylococcal isolates were identified and confirmed by using standard methods and antibiotics susceptibility test was performed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method adhering to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute interpretive criteria. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus was detected using a rapid latex agglutination test -MRSA Screen (Denka-Seiken, Tokyo- Japan).

Results: In our study specimens, the prevalence of MRSA was 42.7% and vancomycin had an  outstanding susceptibility of 100% for all our MRSA isolates.

Conclusion: The result of our findings call for regular surveillance of hospital infections and monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility pattern of MRSA and other pathogens periodically. This is essential for the formulation of antibiotic usage policies which in turn will have an impact on the control of hospital acquired infections such as MRSA.