Occurrence of methicillin resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> isolated from patients attending some hospitals within Kaduna metropolis

Abstract

The global spread of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) constitute one of the most serious contemporary challenges to the treatment of hospital-acquired infections. This study was carried out to determine the occurrence of clFA gene and antibiotics susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical samples of patients attending selected hospitals within Kaduna metropolis. One hundred and eighty (180) clinical samples were collected from four selected hospitals and S. aureus was isolated and identified using standard methods. The study showed that 25(41.7%) of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were isolated from wound specimens, 15(25%) from urine samples and high vaginal swabs (HVS) has the least percentage of 12(20%). Isolates were susceptible to Vancomycin, Ciprofloxacin and Erythromycin but shows resistant to Methicillin, Gentamycin and Ampiclox. Vancomycin was the most effective antimicrobial agent against S. aureus. The presence of clFA gene was detected via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis. MRSA was isolated with higher percentage in wound swab 8(32%), urine sample 4(26%) and HVS has the least of 3(25%). This study recommend regular surveillance of hospital associated infections and monitoring antibiotic susceptibility pattern and strict drug policy for antibiotics used within and outside the hospital environment.