Prevalence of MRSA and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Staphylococcus aureus in Clinical Samples in National Capital Region, India

Background: Infections caused by Staphylococci are frequently linked to indwelling medical equipment. These are extremely difficult to treat with antibiotics. In India, the prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) varies from 30 to 70%, resulting in high mortality, increased economic burden, and high treatment failure in tertiary care hospitals. Rapid and reliable identification of MRSA is critical for infection management and avoiding the needless use of antibiotics.

Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, from the 1st of August 2020 to the 31st of January 2021. MRSA isolates were screened and confirmed using standard methods recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Methicillin resistance, in Staphylococcus aureus strains, was evaluated using oxacillin/cefoxitin. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique was used to assess the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of all MRSA strains.

Results: In this investigation, MRSA was identified in 29.4% of the 384 Staphylococcus aureus strains. When compared to females, men outnumbered females. Cefoxitin detects a greater amount of MRSA than oxacillin. In this investigation, the majority of MRSA was found in pus samples.

Conclusion: MRSA prevalence is known to vary depending on geographical region, hospital type, investigated population, and technique of detection used. Given the clinical implications of MRSA infection and its fast transmission capability, MRSA strains must be monitored on a regular basis.