Globally nosocomial infection is a major problem. Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strains is reported to be increasing globally. MRSA and methicillin resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) are the important
agents causing nosocomial infections.
Objective: The study was conducted to find out the prevalence rate of MRSA and MRCoNS and antibiotic susceptibility pattern.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted from June 2011 to November 2012 in a tertiary care hospital in south India. All
isolates were identified by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and antibiotic susceptibility pattern determined by
modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. The information was recorded and analyzed using Microsoft Excel (2007 version).
Results: A total of 210 Staphylococcus strains were isolated from various clinical samples, 180 were coagulase positive staphylococcus (CoPS) and
30 were coagulase negative staphylococcus (CoNS). Among 180 CoPS, 58 (32.22%) were Methicillin resistant and among CoNS, 12 (40%) were
methicillin resistant. In MRSA maximum resistance was seen with oxacillin (93.2%) and least with vancomycin (3.5%). In MRCoNS maximum
resistance was seen with oxacillin (91.7%) and least with vancomycin (0%).
Conclusion: There is need for continuous monitoring of the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of methicillin staphylococcus aureus and methicillin
resistant coagulase negative staphylococci for the selection of appropriate therapy, developing the antibiotic policy and for limiting the use of
powerful antibiotics.