PERFORMANCE OF CHROM AGAR MEDIUM AND CONVENTIONAL METHODS FOR DETECTION OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS.

Abstract

Background:- Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are responsible for hospital and community acquired infections. There are many laboratory methods for detection of MRSA. Chromogenic media have been used for the last few years for the quick detection of MRSA. Objective:- Aim of this study was to compare the performance of conventional methods and chromogenic media for the detection of MRSA in a tertiary care hospital. Material and method: - 200 consecutive isolates of S. aureus confirmed by conventional methods, collected in a tertiary care hospital were used for this study. Cefoxitin and oxacillin disc diffusion test used as conventional methods and Chromogenic media i.e. oxacillin resistant screen agar base (ORSAB) was used for detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. All confirmed MRSA were checked by gold standard mecA base PCR method. Result: - Out of 200 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 50,52 and 47 strains were MRSA by Cefoxitin disc diffusion method, oxacillin disc diffusion method and oxacillin resistant screen agar base (ORSAB) method respectively. Specificity was 100%, 98.66%, 98.66% by Cefoxitin disc diffusion, oxacillin disc diffusion and ORSAB method respectively. Conclusion: - In conclusion, cefoxitin disc diffusion was the best for the phenotypic detection of MRSA because their sensitivity and specificity were better than oxacillin and ORSAB.