Antibiotic resistance pattern of Staphylococcus aureus with reference to MRSA isolates from pediatric patients

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pediatric populations in Nepal remains largely uncharacterized.
• Understanding the burden of MRSA is essential for effective infection control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the extent of MRSA infection among children in Nepal.
• To assess the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of MRSA isolates.

Main Methods:

• Clinical samples from 232 pediatric patients were analyzed between June and November 2016.
• Culture-positive samples were tested for Staphylococcus aureus, followed by MRSA confirmation.
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing and D-test were performed on MRSA isolates.

Main Results:

• Out of 300 culture-positive samples, 52 (17.3%) were Staphylococcus aureus, with 39 (75.0%) identified as MRSA.
• MRSA isolates exhibited 100% resistance to penicillin and 0% resistance to vancomycin.
• Inducible clindamycin resistance was observed in 15.4% of MRSA isolates.

Conclusions:

• A high proportion of Staphylococcus aureus infections in Nepalese children are caused by MRSA.
• The findings highlight the urgent need for routine MRSA screening in Nepalese healthcare settings.
• Effective management and control of MRSA infections in children require timely diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic stewardship.