Vancomycin Resistance Among Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus Obtained from Selected Hospitals in Sokoto Metropolis

Abstract

The decreased vancomycin susceptibility and subsequent emergence of vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) strains is a major public health problem. This study was aimed at detecting the prevalence of vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among clinical isolates obtained from patients attending Specialist Hospital Sokoto and Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital Sokoto. A total of 80 S. aureus clinical isolates were obtained from the medical microbiology laboratories of the selected hospitals. Antibiotic sensitivity testing of the isolates was carried out using the agar dilution method and isolates were screened for vancomycin resistance using vancomycin agar screen method. Of the 80 S. aureus isolates studied, 69 (86.0%) were identified as vancomycin susceptible S. aureus (VSSA) with MIC value of ≤2 µg/ml, 11 (13.8%) were identified as vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA) and had MIC value of 4-8 µg/mL (VISA) and none of the isolates was identified as vancomycin resistant aureus (VRSA). The study detects high prevalence rate of VISA in the study area and identifies the need for increased public awareness on the danger associated with the presence of drug resistant bacteria. Emphasis should be directed at discouraging practices such as the use of over the counter medications which increase the rate of development of drug resistant organisms.