Brief Report - Study of antibiotic sensitivity pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

There is a growing concern about the rapid rise in resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to antimicrobial agents. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and pattern of antibiotic sensitivity among Methicillin-resistant and Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in Surat, South Gujarat, India. Covering the period of three months from August-2004 to October 2004, we processed the samples of Pus, Urine, Blood, high vaginal swabs, Sputum, throat swabs, drains and ear swabs received from New Civil Hospital, Surat. Total 135 Staphylococci were isolated, out of which, 48 (35.55%) were coagulase positive. These coagulase positive Staphylococci isolates were screened for Methicillin-resistance by a slide latex agglutination kit for the rapid detection of PBP2′ (Penicillin binding protein 2a). Sensitivity to amikacin, erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline were also carried out following Kirbey Bauer disc diffusion method. Methicillin resistance among the Staphylococcus aureus isolates was 39.5%. Resistance to all antibiotics tested among the Methicillin-resistance and Methicillin-sensitive, staphylococci was found to be 26.3% and 6.8% respectively, which is statistically significant. Methicillin-resistance is a useful marker in selecting appropriate antimicrobial agents for treatment of infections caused by S. aureus changing pattern of resistance of S. aureus makes its periodic surveillance mandatory.

Keywords
Antibiotics, coagulase positive staphylococci, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus