Isolation and Identification of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococci at Bethzatha Advanced Laboratory, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) are widely spreading. So identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests of methicillin resistant S. aureus and coagulase negative staphylococcus (CoNS) is critical to appropriately treat patients and control the increasing spread of these pathogens. Therefore the aim of the present work is to determine methicillin resistant S.aureus and CoNS from clinical samples sent to BethZatha Advanced Laboratory from different health institutions and Bethzatha Hospital, Addis Ababa, for bacterial isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility. Bacterial isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were done using Microscan panel methods (Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA, USA) from May 2021 to February 2022 at Bethzatha advanced Medical Laboratory. The retrospective data was analysed to determine methicillin susceptibility of S.aureus and Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS). The finding shows 35% (40/114) S. aureus and 65.8% (75/114) coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) were isolated from different clinical specimens (urine, blood culture, pus and discharges). Out of 40 S. aureus isolates 30% (12/40) were methicillin resistant. Similarly, out of 75 CoNS, 52% (39/75) were methicillin resistant. Almost all methicillin resistant S. aureus and most CoNS isolates were multiply resistant to amoxicillin clavulnate, azithromycin, penicillin and ampicillin. Periodic surveillance and appropriate control measures and safety precautions of nosocomial and community acquired methicillin resistant multidrug resistant, staphylococcus aureus, and CoNS must be given prior attention.