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Updated: May 17, 2026
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Oxacillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among HIV infected and non-infected Kenyan patients
T T Ouko1, J N Ngeranwa, G O Orinda
1Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 54840, Nairobi, Kenya.
Background:
Infections due to methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) present global challenges to clinicians since therapeutic options are limited and suboptimal dosing contributes to heightened mortality and increased length of hospital stay particularly among the HIV infected patients.
Objectives:
To assess the prevalence and relative risk of MRSA infections in HIV infected patients.
Design:
Cross sectional analytical study.
Setting:
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Opportunistic Infection Laboratories in Nairobi.
Subjects:
Four hundred and thirty six male and female patients aged one to 65 years, of whom 220 were HIV-infected and 216 were non-infected.
Results:
There was 436 male (57.1%) and female (42.9%) respondents. The prevalence of MRSA was 26.3% with majority infecting the HIV infected patients (P=0.046). Likewise, the overall Staphylococcal infections were more common in HIV patients (P <0.001). The common test for MRSA oxacillin disk diffusion had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 92%.
Conclusion:
HIV is a predisposing factor to Staphylococcal infection and there are indications that treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics may no longer be relied on as sole empiric therapy for several ill HIV patients whose infections may be of MRSA in origin. There is need for an informed choice in administration of appropriate antibiotics in order to minimise treatment failures due to the multidrug resistance and Vanvomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA) strains. Molecular epidemiology of MRSA strains in understanding new and emerging trends is recommended.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are more prevalent in HIV-infected patients. This highlights the need for careful antibiotic selection in this population to combat rising drug resistance.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant global health challenge due to limited treatment options.
- Suboptimal dosing and increased mortality are critical concerns, especially in HIV-infected patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of MRSA infections.
- To assess the relative risk of MRSA in HIV-infected individuals.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted.
- Participants included 220 HIV-infected and 216 non-infected patients aged 1-65 years.
- Oxacillin disk diffusion was used to test for MRSA, yielding 100% sensitivity and 92% specificity.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of MRSA was 26.3%.
- MRSA infections were significantly more common in HIV-infected patients (P=0.046).
- Staphylococcal infections were generally more frequent in HIV patients (P <0.001).
Conclusions:
- HIV infection is a predisposing factor for Staphylococcus aureus infections.
- Beta-lactam antibiotics may not be sufficient as empiric therapy for MRSA in some HIV patients.
- Careful antibiotic selection is crucial to prevent treatment failures due to multidrug resistance and Vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA).
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