Combination of gentamicin and clindamycin as a promising therapy for multidrug-resistant (MDR) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Enugu State

Abstract

Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is prevalent in Nigeria. Due to its increasing resistance to treatments with single antibiotics, such as vancomycin and others, it has become necessary to identify appropriate combination of antibiotics for treatment. This research tested the proneness of MRSA isolated in southeastern Nigeria to a combined treatment of selected antibiotics (vancomycin, clindamycin, gentamicin, and ceftriaxone), to identify the best combination for the treatment of MRSA isolated in the region. Methods: Various samples from patients were obtained in three laboratories in Enugu, Nigeria and cultured for isolation and purification. Minimum inhibitory concentration of vancomycin, clindamycin, gentamicin, and ceftriaxone antibiotics against the purified isolates was determined and the combined activity of the drugs on the isolates was also evaluated using Checkerboard-technique. Results: MRSA isolates were found to be highly prevalent in the clinical samples. They also showed multidrug-resistant traits. The different combinations of antibiotics against different species of MRSA indicated synergistic, indifferent, additive, and antagonistic effects. The best combination that could treat muti-drug resistant MRSA was found to be gentamycin and clindamycin. MRSA has developed resistance to many drugs, making its infections difficult to treat. The combination of gentamicin and clindamycin is a promising strategy for treating MRSA in the region.