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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a Tertiary-Care Hospital in Eastern Nepal
N Kumari1, T M Mohapatra, Y I Singh
1Department of Microbiology, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. nrainrai@yahoo.co.in
Abstract:
Nosocomial infection is a major problem in the world today. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, usually resistant to several antibiotics, shows a particular ability to spread in hospitals and is now present in most of the countries. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of MRSA infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in our hospital located in eastern Nepal. Identification of Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed by standard methods and the antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Interpretation criteria were those of the national committee for clinical laboratory standards. During a period of one year, out of a total of 750 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from various clinical samples, 196 (26.14%) were found to be Methicillin-resistant. Seventy percent isolates of MRSA were from inpatient departments and amongst them only 10% of the isolates were from intensive care units (ICU). More than 65% of MRSA were found to be resistant to Penicillin, Cephalosporins, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin Erythromycin and Tetracycline, while 47.96% of them were resistant to Amikacin. Many MRSA strains were multidrug-resistant. However, no strains were resistant to Vancomycin. To reduce the prevalence of MRSA, the regular surveillance of hospital acquired infection, isolation nursing of patients who carry MRSA, monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and formulation of a definite antibiotic policy may be helpful.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant hospital-acquired infection. This study found 26.14% of Staphylococcus aureus strains were MRSA, with high resistance to common antibiotics but none to Vancomycin.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Nosocomial infections pose a global health challenge.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a prevalent and antibiotic-resistant pathogen in healthcare settings worldwide.
- MRSA's ability to spread in hospitals necessitates understanding its prevalence and resistance patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of MRSA infections in a hospital in eastern Nepal.
- To analyze the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated MRSA strains.
- To inform strategies for controlling MRSA spread in healthcare facilities.
Main Methods:
- Standard microbiological methods for Staphylococcus aureus identification.
- Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- Adherence to national committee for clinical laboratory standards for interpretation.
Main Results:
- Out of 750 Staphylococcus aureus strains, 196 (26.14%) were identified as MRSA over one year.
- MRSA isolates were predominantly from inpatient departments (70%), with 10% from intensive care units (ICU).
- High resistance rates (>65%) were observed for Penicillin, Cephalosporins, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Erythromycin, and Tetracycline; 47.96% were resistant to Amikacin. No Vancomycin resistance was detected.
Conclusions:
- MRSA represents a significant proportion of Staphylococcus aureus infections in the studied hospital.
- Multidrug resistance is common among MRSA strains, highlighting the need for effective antibiotic stewardship.
- Strategies including surveillance, isolation nursing, susceptibility monitoring, and antibiotic policy formulation are crucial for MRSA control.
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