Abstract :
Background & Objectives: Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has always been a
worldwide problem, although its prevalence varies considerably among countries. The epidemiology of
MRSA has changed over the years and infections are no longer confined to the hospital setting, but appear in
healthy community dwelling individuals with no risk factors. From skin and soft tissue infection, common
organism isolated is Community associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). Hence the study was done to know the
prevalence of MRSA among community associated skin and soft tissue infections in Basaveshwar teaching
and general hospital, attached to M.R. Medical College, Gulbarga.
Materials and Methods: Standard techniques were used to isolate Staphylococcus aureus from clinical
specimens. Cefoxitin disc diffusion was used to find MRSA. Antibiogram of MRSA was detected by Kirby
Bauer disc diffusion method. Inducible Clindamycin resistance was done by Double Disc Diffusion method
(D test).
Results: From over 200 cases of CA-MRSA, total of (75.5%) staphylococcus aureus was detected. Out
of them, CA-MRSA was 27 (17.9%). These showed high sensitivity to Vancomycin (100%), Linezolid
(96.2%),Cindamycin (92.59%), moderately susceptible to TMP-SMX(85.1%), Rifampicin (88.1%),
Tetracycline(81.4%),Gentamicin (70.3%), ciprofloxacin(62.9%) and a low susceptibility to Erythromycin
(48.14%). 14.8% of CA-MRSA strains were D test positive (inducible MLSB positive) and 29.63% were D
test negative (MS phenotype). 7.4% of CA-MRSA were positive for constitutive MLSB resistance.
Conclusion: There is a need for judicious selection of antimicrobial agents, as their indiscriminate use can
exert pressure in selecting MRSA and other multi-drug resistant organisms. Further spread of community
acquired infections can be done by effective infection control programs.
Keyword :
Community associated methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus
(CA-MRSA), Cefoxitin disc diffusion method, Double disk diffusion method (D test), Inducible Clindamycin resistance.