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Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of healthcare- and community-associated infection worldwide, with resistance mediated by acquisition of the mecA gene encoding an altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a) with reduced affinity for beta-lactam antibiotics.1,2,3
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of MRSA among clinical S. aureus isolates, and to identify risk factors associated with MRSA infection.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 non-repetitive S. aureus isolates from clinical specimens. Methicillin resistance was detected by cefoxitin disc diffusion per CLSI guidelines, and susceptibility to a standard antibiotic panel was determined.6,11
Results: MRSA accounted for 38.0% of S. aureus isolates. All isolates remained susceptible to vancomycin, and susceptibility to linezolid and teicoplanin exceeded 98%. Penicillin susceptibility was only 8.5% overall. MRSA isolates showed markedly reduced susceptibility to clindamycin, gentamicin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin compared with MSSA isolates. Prior hospitalisation and indwelling device use were the strongest independent risk factors for MRSA.
Conclusion: MRSA constitutes a substantial proportion of S. aureus clinical isolates in this population, with pronounced multidrug co-resistance, underscoring the continued essential role of glycopeptide and oxazolidinone agents for confirmed MRSA infection and the importance of local surveillance to guide empirical therapy.