Abstract
This study was based on the comparison of revised guidelines of Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI), British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) and BrillianceTM MRSA agar (Oxoid) for the phenotypic identification of methicillin resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A total of 133 clinical isolates of S. aureus were tested using new CLSI, BSAC guidelines and BrillianceTM MRSA Agar. All the strains were tested according to prescribed guidelines of CLSI (M100-S20, 2010) and BSAC (10.2, 2011). The 30 µg and 10 µg cefoxitin (FOX) performed best for the detection of MRSA and gave 100% sensitivity and specificity. While 1 µg oxacillin (OX) showed less effective results showing sensitivity and specificity of 96.8% and 100% respectively. The cefoxitin disc diffusion method appears to be a good option for the identification of MRSA. BrillianceTM MRSA agar when used for the detection of MRSA, showed sensitivity and specificity of 98.4% and 100% respectively. In conclusion the efficiency of FOX is very high and FOX disc diffusion method is the most efficient method for the identification of MRSA phenotypicallyand could be a second choice for the detection of MRSA. Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, CLSI, BSAC, Chromogenic media, MRSA.
Highlights
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for serious infections worldwide
This study was based on the comparison of revised guidelines of Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI), British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) and BrillianceTM MRSA agar (Oxoid) for the phenotypic identification of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
It is important to identify MRSA accurately because it will help in proper management of S. aureus born diseases
Summary
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for serious infections worldwide. The accurate identification of MRSA is the most important step in effective management of the infected patient. This can help to minimize risk of its transmission (Appelbaum, 2007; Berger-Bachi and Rohrer, 2002). In MRSA PBP2 protein (PBP2′ or PBP2a) is encoded by mecA gene which is present in MRSA strains. These proteins have low tendency for methicillin and all other βlactam antibiotics. Factors, such as growth conditions including temperature and osmolarity of the medium, may change the phenotypic identification of methicillin resistance in S. aureus. The accuracy of identification methods may be affected by these factors (Chambers, 1997)
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