WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Ezra Dasun Kopkuk, Unyime Cosmas Essien*, Nnamdi Harrison Uzoma, Davil Nicholas and Ebele Uchenna Umeh

ABSTRACT

Background: The emergence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has caused a new level of threat to microbial infection control and antimicrobial therapy. Aim: To determine the prevalence and antibiogram of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from clinical specimens in the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 86 S. aureus isolates were recovered from 400 clinical specimens. S. aureus isolates were identified by growth and fermentation on mannitol salt agar, Gram stain, and positive results for catalase and tube coagulase tests. The 86 S. aureus isolates were tested for susceptibility to antibacterial agents by the disc diffusion method. S. aureus isolates that were resistant to cefoxitin were regarded as MRSA. PCR was used to confirm MRSA by amplification of the mecA gene. Results: Fourteen (16.3%) of the 86 S. aureus isolates were resistant to cefoxitin and positive for mecA gene by PCR. Most of the MRSA isolates were cultured from wound 7 (8.1%) and blood 3 (3.5%) specimens. Majority of MRSA isolates were recovered from males 11 (18.6%) patients and age group 1-17 years 2 (33.3%) and 18-33 years 8 (18.6%). All fourteen (100.0%) MRSA isolates were resistant to penicillin and trimethoprim. Also, high rate of resistance was observed in ciprofloxacin 13/14 (92.8%) and tetracycline 10/14 (71.4%). Conclusion: The study has revealed MRSA prevalence of 16.3% and provided a platform for future studies on MRSA in the study area.

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