Pattern of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in clinical isolates from a tertiary care hospital

Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of hospital acquired infections and is commonly associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study was undertaken to understand the prevalence, recent pattern of antibiotic susceptibility of MRSA in clinical isolates from patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Northern India. The 460 coagulase positive Staphylococcal isolates were obtained from various samples from 460 patients attending different OPDs and also from patients admitted in IPDs and ICUs from January 2023 to June 2023. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed from the isolates and interpreted as per standard CLSI guidelines. MRSA isolates were identified by cefoxitin (30μg) disk testing, E-test and by VITEK 2 system. A total of 140 (30.43%) were found to be methicillin resistant. Out of 140 MRSA isolates, 109 (77.85%) were MDRSA (Multi drug resistant ). 10 (7.14%) isolates were also resistant to Vancomycin and 5(3.57%) of the MRSA isolates were also resistant to linezolid. The overall prevalence of MRSA during the study period was 30.43%. Prevalence of MRSA isolates was found to be significantly higher among isolates from indoor patients (57.1%) than OPD (31.4%) and ICU patients (12.8%). Antibiotic policies based on continuous surveillance of antibiotic resistance profiles of local strains is one of the most effective intervention to prevent MRSA infections.