Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from different clinical sources

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram positive bacterium living as a commensal on skin, mouth and upper respiratory  system, making it a risk factor for opportunistic and nosocomial infections. It is the major cause of skin, bone,  pneumonia, soft tissue, and urinary tract infections and other invasive infections in both the community and hospital  settings. High prevalence of MethicillinResistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains between staphylococcal isolates  is very problematic. MRSA strains are common causes of nosocomial infections and are associated with increased  morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to characterize prevalence of MRSA isolates and determine antibiotic  susceptibility patterns of S. aureus clinical isolates toward various antibiotics by disc diffusion method. S. aureus isolates  showed high resistance to both β-lactams and tetracycline and intermediate resistance to gentamycin, azithromycin and  erythromycin. However, low bacterial resistance was noted against chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin and  sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim. S. aureus isolates exhibited a higher sensitivity toward linezolid and vancomycin.  The current study indicates that linezolid and vancomycin are the most effective antistaphylococcal drugs.