EC Microbiology

Background and Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with a higher risk of complications, prolonged hospital stays, a longer duration of therapy and higher expenditures than MSSA. The present study aims to show the prevalence of MRSA and its genotypic characterization in various clinical isolates.

Materials and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study that included 71 MRSA strains isolated from 3342 unrepeated clinical samples processed in the Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, from February 2021 to June 2022. MRSA was identified by standardized phenotypic methods and genotypic characterization done by mecA and mecC gene detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

 Results: Out of 71 MRSA strains, maximum were isolated from pus samples (n = 47,66.20%), followed by 12 (16.90%) from miscellaneous samples. 57 (80.28%) and 54 (76.06%) MRSA isolates were most resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin, respectively. 71 MRSA were subjected to Real-time PCR for molecular characterization. Of these, 67 (94.36%) only showed the mecA gene, 1 (1.41%) both the mecA and mecC genes, and 3 (4.33%) were negative for both the resistant genes.

Conclusion: The current study revealed a high percentage of MRSA in India, highlighting the need for local and country-based investigations to characterize and monitor MRSA and develop strategies to combat it. Mandatory surveillance, both in hospital and community settings, should be performed in a timely manner to monitor antibiotic sensitivity patterns and reduce the prevalence of MRSA.

 Keywords: MRSA; mecA; mecC; Real Time PCR; Skin Soft Tissue Infection

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