Frequency and Sensitivity Patterns of Staphylococcus Aureus in a Tertiary Care Setting

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a major etiological pathogen causing multiple infections and broadly known as a serious public health challenge faced due to antibiotic resistance. It is the need of time that infection prevention and control strategies; and antibiotic stewardship policies have to be employed conjointly to minimize the extended rise of antibiotic resistance.

Objectives: To determine the frequency and sensitivity patterns of Staphylococcus aureus in tertiary care setting.

Study Design: Descriptive study

Place & Duration of Study: Pathology Laboratory of tertiary care center from 1st March’ 2020 till 28th February’ 2021.

Materials & Methods: A total 643 Staph. aureus isolated from various clinical specimens received in a tertiary care hospital; were processed and identified by culture, staining and bench tests. Sensitivity testing was done by Disc Diffusion method. Resistance to cefoxitin(30µg) was labelled as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Constitutive and Inducible Clindamycin resistance was also evaluated. (CLSI, 2020-21).

Results: During the study period 125 (19.44%) MRSA were recovered. Statistically, gender distribution regarding MRSA was significant, most of SA was recovered from blood (53.68%), while 46.31% from pus and wound swabs. The frequency of MRSA from Surgical and allied wards was higher (52.63%) than Medicine and allied wards (47.36%). Sensitivity to vancomycin, linezolid and tigecycline was noted 100% by all the isolates. Sensitivity to clindamycin and Doxycycline was 68.42% and 64.81% respectively; while resistance to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was 73.68%, 60% and 57.89%, respectively.

Conclusion: The hazardous infections due to Staphylococcus aureus are worrisome in the present therapeutic scenario. A levelheaded prescription of sensitive antibiotics has to be ensured to minimize the rising frequency of resistant strains of SA.