Abstract
BackgroundMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and has resultant important economic and societal costs underscoring the need for accurate surveillance. In recent years, prevalence rates reported in East Africa have been inconsistent, sparking controversy and raising concern.MethodsWe described antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolates cultured from patients within the Internal Medicine department of the largest public healthcare facility in East and Central Africa- the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi, Kenya. Routine antimicrobial susceptibility data from non-duplicate Staphylococcus aureus isolates cultured between the years 2014–2016 from the medical wards in KNH were reviewed.ResultsAntimicrobial susceptibility data from a total of 187 Staphylococcus aureus isolates revealed an overall MRSA prevalence of 53.4%. Isolates remained highly susceptible to linezolid, tigecycline, teicoplanin and vancomycin.ConclusionsThe prevalence of MRSA was found to be much higher than that reported in private tertiary facilities in the same region. Careful interrogation of antimicrobial susceptibility results is important to uproot any red herrings and reserve genuine cause for alarm, as this has a critical bearing on health and economic outcomes for a population.
Highlights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and has resultant important economic and societal costs underscoring the need for accurate surveillance
In East Africa, high prevalence rates of between 31.5 to 42% among patients and healthcare workers have been recorded in Uganda [9, 10], 31 to 82% MRSA prevalence in Rwanda [11, 12], and in 10 to 50% in Tanzanian
Study design we describe antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolates cultured from patients within the Internal Medicine department of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)
Summary
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and has resultant important economic and societal costs underscoring the need for accurate surveillance. The health burden attributable to Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been summarised in the World Health Organization Antimicrobial Resistance report as significant increased all-cause, bacterium-attributable and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality; as well as post-infection and ICU length of stay. Reports of Methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is documented to have exceeded 20% in all World Health Organization (WHO) regions, and above 80% in some regions [2]. In Africa, MRSA prevalence intra-country and inter-country has been reported to be heterogenous [7]. National data from 9 African countries shows MRSA rates to approximate between 12 and 80%, with some countries exceeding 82% [6, 8]. In East Africa, high prevalence rates of between 31.5 to 42% among patients and healthcare workers have been recorded in Uganda [9, 10], 31 to 82% MRSA prevalence in Rwanda [11, 12], and in 10 to 50% in Tanzanian
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