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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in Nepal

S Subedi1, K N Brahmadathan

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal, India.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|February 18, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a growing concern in Nepal, with many isolates showing resistance to multiple antibiotics. An effective antibiotic policy is crucial to combat rising antimicrobial resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen causing various infections.
  • Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global health threat.
  • Limited data exists on antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus aureus in Nepal.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from a tertiary care center in western Nepal.
  • To identify the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the study population.
  • To assess the resistance patterns of both methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to commonly used antibiotics.

Main Methods:

  • A total of 117 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were collected from patients at a tertiary care center.
  • Isolates were tested for susceptibility to penicillin, oxacillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin using standard microbiological techniques.
  • Methicillin resistance was determined based on susceptibility to oxacillin.

Main Results:

  • Eighteen (15.4%) of the 117 isolates were identified as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
  • Among MRSA isolates, resistance varied from 0% for penicillin to 16.6% for erythromycin and gentamicin.
  • Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus showed varying susceptibility, with resistance ranging from 39.4% for penicillin to 97.0% for ciprofloxacin.
  • A significant proportion (77.8%) of MRSA isolates were resistant to all tested antimicrobial agents.

Conclusions:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is prevalent in western Nepal, exhibiting high levels of resistance to multiple antibiotics.
  • The findings highlight the urgent need for a robust antibiotic stewardship program and policy implementation.
  • Effective antibiotic policies are essential to mitigate the further development and spread of antimicrobial resistance in the region.

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