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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: prevalence and current susceptibility pattern in sikkim.
Dechen C Tsering1, Ranabir Pal, Sumit Kar
1Department of Microbiology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences and Central Referral Hospital, 5th Mile, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is common in a Sikkim hospital, with high resistance to vancomycin and imipenem observed in clinical and carrier isolates. This highlights the need for infection control measures.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Global increase in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) strains.
- MRSA poses a significant public health threat due to its resistance to antibiotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of MRSA infections.
- To investigate MRSA in a tertiary care hospital in Sikkim, India.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 827 clinical specimens and 196 nasal swabs from healthcare workers.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing performed on confirmed MRSA isolates using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.
Main Results:
- 152 S. aureus isolates showed methicillin resistance (111 clinical, 41 carrier).
- Higher MRSA prevalence in males, individuals under 30, inpatients with prolonged stays, and those with prior broad-spectrum antibiotic use.
- Strains exhibited decreased susceptibility to vancomycin and imipenem; cleaners were most vulnerable carriers.
Conclusions:
- MRSA is prevalent in the studied hospital.
- High rates of resistance to methicillin and vancomycin among MRSA strains were noted.
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