Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Conundrum: Elucidating the Spectrum of Antibiotic Resistance

Objective: To assess MRSA's impact and the latest treatment strategies, seeking to improve management and containment efforts.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia, from March 2023 to February 2024.
Methods: S. aureus isolates from various clinical sources were identified using culture, biochemical, and phenotypic tests. MRSA isolates were identified using the cefoxitin (30 µg) disc as a surrogate marker. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method to report antimicrobial resistance.

Results: Forty-eight S. aureus isolates, comprising 32 MRSA and 16 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) infections. Nasal swabs exhibited 100% MRSA occurrence, with high prevalence in wound swabs and blood cultures. MRSA isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance to various classes of antibiotics. In contrast, these isolates exhibited no or less resistance to fewer antibiotics such as vancomycin (0%), teicoplanin (0%), rifampin (0%), tetracycline (0%), linezolid (3%), and quinupristin/dalfopristin (3%).

Conclusion: The spectrum of antibiotic resistance in MRSA, emphasizing the need for tailored antibiotic treatment strategies and ongoing efforts to combat the spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens in healthcare settings.