Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus And Coagulase Negative Staphylococci Recovered From Clinical Specimens In A Tertiary Hospital In Benin City, Nigeria

*Ogefere, H.O., Wilson, B.I. and Uwumarogie, K.A.

Department Of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College Of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Corresponding Author: helenogefere@yahoo.com; Tel: +2348023509447

Recieved Date: June, 2020; Accepted Date: June, 2020; Published Date: June, 2020

ABSTRACT

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) are prevalent worldwide, and are considered the most important cause of nosocomial and community-acquired infections, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MRSA and MRCoNS from clinical specimens. Materials and methods: A total of 689 consecutive non-repetitive clinical isolates of staphylococci consisting of 566 Staphylococcus aureus and 123 coagulase negative staphylococci were recovered from clinical specimens using standard microbiological techniques. Methicillin resistant was determined by resistance to 30µg cefoxitin discs. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed on all isolates using the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Method. Results: The prevalence of MRCoNS (67.48%) was significantly higher than that of MRSA (56.54%) and statistically significant (p<0.05). MRSA were recovered more from umbilical cord (100.00%) and catheter tips (85.71%) than other clinical specimens, while the prevalence of MRCoNS from various clinical specimens did not differ significantly (P=0.3991). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the susceptibility profiles of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), as well as MRCoNS and methicillin-susceptible coagulase negative staphylococci (MSCoNS) recovered from in- and out-patients. However, there was statistical significance in the susceptibility of MRSA and MSSA recovered from in-patients to ofloxacin, gentamicin and ceftriaxone (p<0.05). Generally, there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in the susceptibility profiles of MRSA and MRCoNS recovered from in- and out-patients. Conclusion: The prevalence (58.49%) of methicillin-resistant staphylococci was observed in this study and prudent use of antibiotics to stem the tide of antibacterial resistance is advocated.