Evaluation of antibiotic resistance pattern and mecA gene frequency in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains collected from clinical specimens in Marand hospital and treatment centers, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus causes a wide range of infections and as a multivalent pathogen is one of the causative agents of nosocomial and community infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and determine the pattern of antibiotic resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from patients in hospitals and medical centers in Marand city and also to evaluate the presence of mecA gene.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 385 samples of S. aureus were collected from different clinical samples of patients in hospitals and medical centers of Marand city. S. aureus was identified using standard biochemical methods.  Methicillin resistance was determined by disk diffusion method in the presence of oxacillin and cefoxitin. The pattern of antibiotic resistance of the strains was determined by disk diffusion method and according to CLSI recommendation and also PCR method was used to evaluate the frequency of MecA gene.

Results: In the present study, out of 385 samples of S. aureus, 215 (55.84%) samples were methicillin resistant. PCR results for mecA gene showed that 110 samples had mecA gene.  The highest antibiotic resistance was observed against penicillin (100%) and erythromycin (83.63%). Most MRSA were isolated from urine and wound samples.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant species and also the increase in antibiotic resistance of MRSA to various antibiotics.  Therefore, in order to prevent increased resistance to other antibiotics, it is recommended to avoid inappropriate use of antibiotics.