Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of methicillin resistant staphylococcus in a tertiary Care hospital in kashmir.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) is one of the most important pathogens affecting humans, and is a leading cause of hospital and community acquired infections, manifesting from minor skin diseases to life threatening infections. The grave concern being the growing incidence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a drug resistant pathogen, for which therapeutic options are limited. The present study is carried to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of staphylococcus aureus in order to utilize the information to formulate antibiotic policy and appropriate control measures. Methods: A retrospective and prospective study done in a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir. A total of 140 isolates of S. aureus were obtained from various clinical specimens which were identified based on Gram\'s stain morphology, colony characteristics, and positive catalase and coagulase tests. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion method. Results: Out of total 140 isolates, 58 (41.4%) were methicillin resistant. Majority of MRSA were isolated from the age group 21-30 followed by age group of 51-60 years. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of MRSA to the following antibiotics Ampicillin, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Vancomycin, Gentamicin, Amikacin, Erythromycin, Clindamycin, Ciprofloxacin, Linezolid, Trimethoprim/Sulphamethoxazole was 10.3%; 29.3%; 41.37%; 96.5%; 31.03%; 91.3%; 32.7%; 27.5%; 56.8%; 100%; 32.7% respectively. The MSSA being highest sensitive to Linezolid and Vancomycin (100%), followed by Amikacin (93.9%). Conclusion: This study highlights the need for continuous surveillance of antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) with a view to selecting appropriate therapy and also emphasizes the Implementation and monitoring of infection control committee so as to prevent the rampant use of antibiotics and minimize the emergence of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Key words: Staphylococcus aureus; antibiotic susceptibility; Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; resistance.