Methicillin resistance among clinical isolates of staphylococcus aureus isolated at a microbiology diagnostic center in Kashmir

Objective: To determine the prevelance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among the clinical isolates at a microbiology diagnostic center in Kashmir, and to test the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of these isolates. Method: A total of 113 S. aureus from different clinical specimens were isolated over a period of two years. All these isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: The prevalence of MRSA among S.aureus isolates was 23.9%. About 96.2% MRSA isolates were resistant to Gentamycin, 88.8% were resistant to Tetracycline, 81.4% were resistant to Clindamycin, 77.7% to Erythromycin and 74.0% to Co-trimoxazole. Multidrug resistance was less common amongst the methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates. No isolates werefound to be resistant to Vancomycin. Conclusions: Vancomycin seems to be the only antimicrobial agent which shows 100% sensitivity even with multidrug resistance. However, regular monitoring of vancomycin sensitivity and routine testing of newer glycopeptides should be carried out further. Also, there is an immediate need to develop strategies that will improve MRSA treatment and control.