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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
14:04

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Antibiotic resistance patterns of mecA-positive Staphylococcus aureus isolates from clinical specimens and nasal

Enas Al-Zu'bi1, Salwa Bdour, Asem A Shehabi

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

Microbial Drug Resistance (Larchmont, N.Y.)
|January 15, 2005
PubMed

Insights

A study found 40% of healthy Jordanian adults carry Staphylococcus aureus. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was prevalent, with 19% of nasal strains and 57% of clinical isolates showing resistance, indicating a significant public health concern.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant treatment challenge.
  • Understanding nasal carriage rates and resistance patterns is crucial for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the nasal carriage rate of Staphylococcus aureus in healthy young adults in Jordan.
  • To investigate the prevalence of oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nasal and clinical isolates.
  • To assess the antibiotic resistance patterns of MRSA isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Nasal swabs were collected from healthy young adults.
  • Clinical isolates were obtained over a specific period.
  • Oxacillin resistance was tested, and the presence of the mecA gene was confirmed.
  • Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on MRSA isolates.

Main Results:

  • The nasal carriage rate of Staphylococcus aureus was 40%.
  • 19% of nasal S. aureus isolates and 57% of clinical isolates were identified as MRSA.
  • The mecA gene was present in all MRSA isolates.
  • Most MRSA isolates exhibited multidrug resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and macrolides-lincosamides.

Conclusions:

  • High rates of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage and MRSA prevalence were observed in Jordan.
  • The widespread multidrug resistance in MRSA isolates suggests potential difficulties in treating staphylococcal infections.
  • Urgent public health strategies are needed to address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance in Jordan.

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