Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-associated infections are one of the major threats to public health. The aim of the present study was to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern as well as the genetic characterization of methicillin and vancomycin resistant S. aureus (VRSA) isolated from a tertiary care hospital in Lahore. The S. aureus isolates were isolated from different clinical samples, identified by biochemical testing, and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing via the disc diffusion method or broth microdilution method. The methicillin resistance gene (mecA) and vancomycin resistance gene (vanA) were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. The S. aureus isolates showed high incidences of resistance against methicillin (76%) and moderate incidences of resistance to vancomycin (14%). Isolates were also resistant to several other drugs, such as cefoxitin (76%), ertapenem (83%), ampicillin (81%), tobramycin (78%), moxifloxacin (76%), and tetracycline (74%). An encouraging finding was that 98% of isolates were susceptible to tigecycline, indicating its possible role in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and VRSA, as well as the multi-drug resistant S. aureus. The mecA gene was detected in 33.3% of tested isolates (10/30), while the vanA gene was also detected in 30% (9/30) of the tested isolates. In conclusion, the frequent presence of methicillin and vancomycin resistance in S. aureus appraises the cautious use of these antibiotics in clinical practices. Furthermore, it is suggested that there should be continuous monitoring of tigecycline treatments in clinical setups in order to delay the development of resistance against it.
Highlights
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection is one of the most common nosocomial and community-acquired infections in humans and animals [1,2]
The overall result of the current study revealed that clinical isolates of S. aureus (n = 100) had a high incidence of resistance against methicillin (76%), ampicillin (81%), tobramycin (78%), tetracycline
The isolates that were resistant to cefoxitin were declared as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) [14]
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection is one of the most common nosocomial and community-acquired infections in humans and animals [1,2]. Almost 30% of the human population is asymptomatically colonized with commensal S. aureus [3,4]. The S. aureus is capable of causing a variety of diseases including pneumonia, mastitis, meningitis, wound infections, sepsis, abscess formation, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, food poisoning, and toxic shock syndrome (TSST) [5]. Transfer of antibiotic resistance genes is common in Staphylococcal species [6]. Resistance against methicillin, lincosamides, macrolides, aminoglycosides, and a combination of these antibiotics have been frequently reported in staphylococci [7]. Methicillin resistance is generally caused by mecA gene that encodes polypeptide. Education of Patients Illiterate Less than Matric.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
