CURRENT SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF MRSA (METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPH AUREUS) IN A TERTIARY CARE ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL IN KASHMIR (J&K)

Abstract

In view of the reported emergence of vancomycin resistance in MRSA from the state and the country as a whole we evaluated the pattern of culture and sensitivity on 160 samples from Orthopaedic Department over a period of one year between Nov 2014 and Nov 2015. These belonged to 111 males and 49 females with different aetiologies. Using standard protocols for the culture, 84 (52%) samples grew no organisms while Staph aureus was grown in 43 samples (26.8%) and gram negative organism in 28 and 5 samples grew mixed organism. Out of these 43 isolates of Staph aureus, MRSA was grown in 32 (74.4%) and MSSA in 11 (25.6%). These belonged to 23 (71.8%) males and 9 (28.1%) females. Majority of MRSA were grown from the patients of acute osteomyelitis and operated fractures (63.3%). Linezolid showed highest sensitivity (100%) followed by Vancomycin (96.8%), Clindamycin (37.5%), erythromycin (21%), Amikacin (21%), Levofloxacin (9.3%), cotrimoxazole (9.3%) and ciprofloxacin (3.1%). By diffusion method 6 positive cultures depicted doubtful sensitivity pattern for vancomycin (18.75%). However, on further analysis using MIC only one isolate (3.3%) showed intermediate resistance to vancomycin; 12 cultures (37.5%) were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid only. The presence of vancomycin resistance calls for a watchful approach towards these infections and an extensive study to better define the problem. KEYWORDSMRSA, Vancomycin Resistance. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE:Farooq S, Kawoosa AA, Mumtaz MU. Current sensitivity pattern of MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus) in a tertiary care orthopaedic hospital in Kashmir (J&K).