Clinical Relevance of Methacillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from Surgical Site Infections

Original article

English

A. O. Shebani, M. I. Muftah, M. A. Daw**

* Department of General Surgery Tripoli Medical Centre
**Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine
Al- Fateh University

JMJ Vol.3 No.2 (September) 2004: 46-49

Abstract

Surgical site infection (SSIs) is the second common cause of nosocomial infection. Staphylococcus aureus however, was the most common cause of such infection and reported to be endemic in certain countries and hospitals. Methacillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is the most problematic one where limited therapeutic options are accounted for its treatment particularly in countries who have no clear policy for nosocomial infection .The aim of present study was; To assess the occurrence of MRSA among S. aureus SSIs; To determine its susceptibility to gentamycin and other commonly used antibiotics to be used a as an alternative to the expensive therapy that is difficult to get; And to out line clear prevention and control program to MRSA. Methods: One hundred and ninety two different strains of S aureus were collected from different SSIs randomly in four years period (2000 – 2004 ) with male to female ratio 1.6:1 from Tripoli Medical Center, Each strain was identified according to the standard microbiological methods and its susceptibly was tested against 10 antibiotics including gentamycin and methacillin and confirmed to be MRSA. Results: The swabs were collected from 141 clinical cases and 51 surveillance sites. The Staphylococcus aureus were divided to MRSA (20.8 %) and MSSA (79.2%). Of these (95%) were GS-MRSA and (5%) GR-MRSA. Conclusion: MRSA was found to be a significant cause of SSIs with great morbid outcome. Introduction of a specific policy and preventive regulations have to be implemented with great emphases on antibiotic use as gentamycin could be used as an alternative for the expensive therapy.

Keywords: Nosocomial infection, MRSA (Methacillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), MSSA (Methacillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus), GS-MRSA (Genatmycin Sensitive-MRSA), GR-MRSA (Gentamycin resistant-MRSA), SSIs (Surgical Site Infections), HCW (Health Care Workers)

Link/DOI: http://www.jmj.org.ly/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1324