Phenotypic profiles of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus from asymptomatic children of Iligan City

Abstract

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a global healthcare threat, even colonizing healthy asymptomatic individuals with no traditional risk factors for MRSA. The objectives of this study was to determine sensitivity patterns of MRSA, isolated from healthy asymptomatic children, against three antibiotics commonly used to treating outpatients; and to establish the prevalence of multidrug resistant MRSA strains.Modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique was employed to determine the susceptibilities, with zones of inhibition interpreted according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Tetracyline is the best choice for empiric treatment of suspected MRSA infections with the lowest resistance at 3%. Clindamycin and ampicillin had resistance rates of 28% and 45% respectively. Fifteen percent of the MRSA isolates were multidrug resistant. Routine screening of clinical S. aureus isolates for methicillin resistance, regular surveillance studies as well as institution of infection control measures and antibiotic stewardship programme are recommended.