Abstract

Background: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection traditionally has been associated with healthcare settings, colonizing patients with underlying debilitating health conditions. Now a day, Hospital management has become increasingly aware of issues related to MRSA infections in the patient population.

Aims & Objective: To know the prevalence of MRSA amongst hospitalized as well as OPD based patients and to find out and compare the antibiotic resistance patterns of Methicillin resistant and Methicillin sensitive S. aureus.

Material and Methods: Total of 534 Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various clinical specimens using the standard procedures during June 2010 to June 2011. Screening and confirmation of MRSA isolates were done by standard methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). CDC definition was used to classify hospital and community Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Detailed information regarding duration in hospital stay, ward, unit and clinical history were collected.

Results: Out of 534 Staphylococcus aureus recovered from different clinical samples, 152 (28.46%) were found to be Methicillin resistant. 113 out of 152 isolates (74.34%) were Hospital acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) while 39 out of 152 isolates (25.66%) were Community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA). The antibiotic susceptibility result shows that MRSA isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics than MSSA isolates. All isolated MRSA were sensitive to Vancomycin.

Conclusion: Measures to control the emergence and spread of MRSA are needed to be improved because there are fewer options available for the treatment of MRSA infections. Thus, together with good professional practice and routine infection control precautions constitute the major measures in controlling and preventing MRSA.

Key words: Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA); Antibiotic Resistance; Infection Control; Prevalence