Incidence, Prevelance and Management of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Chennai

Resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus produces an enzyme called β-lactamase which inactivates β-lactam ring present in antibiotics. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections occur in people especially working in hospitals, patients with cut or open wounds and are resistant to many type of antibiotics that are used to treat Staphylococcus diseases. MRSA began as a hospital acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and has become community associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). The aim of the study was to screen the percentage of MRSA and their antibiotic susceptibility in Chennai. The study was conducted with samples collected from hospitals and public places. Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus was carried out by culturing it in the Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA). Golden yellow coloured colonies were selected and identified by Gram's staining and biochemical tests. Antibiogram was performed to screen out MRSA and identify the drug choice of susceptibility. Among the 19 samples screened, growth percentage of MRSA was found to be 63.1% (12) and it was found to be susceptible to Ciproflaxacin (24.4mm), Gentamicin (18.8mm), Vancomycin (16.5mm), Doxy cycline hydrochloride (16.2mm), intermediate to Erythromycin (17 mm), Co-trimoxazole (11mm) and also resistant to Cefoxitin, Penicillin. From this study, we concluded that the surveillance of MRSA more prone in and around Chennai with higher frequency of isolation in hospitals. Among the isolates, more strains were susceptible to Gentamicin and it was found to be the drug of choice.