Plasmid Profiling and Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Patients in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a serious global threat. Thus, this research  focused on plasmid profile and prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from  patients in Abakaliki, Nigeria. A total of 454 clinical specimens were obtained and screened for presence  of beta-lactamase and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using nitrocefin sticks; oxacillin and  cefoxitin antibiotic disc. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates were determined using disc diffusion  method according to Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute. Plasmid profiles were analyzed using agarose  gel electrophoresis. A total of 41 beta-lactamase producing and 36 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus  aureus were detected from the specimens with percentage prevalence’s of 23.0 and 20.2 respectively. The  isolates were highly resistant to cefoxitin (60.9% to 73.0%), cloxacillin (67.6% to 78.0%), cefotaxime  (36.4% to 73.9%) and ceftazidime (32.4% to 52.2%). The isolates had very high percentage susceptibility  range to ciprofloxacin (77.1 to 91.3), ofloxacin (79.7 to 87.0) and gentamicin (64.4 to 65.2). All strains of  methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to vancomycin. Different antibiotic resistance  patterns were recorded among the S. aureus to other antibiotics. The presence of multiple plasmid DNA  was in 32 (18.0 %) clinical isolates. This study reported significant prevalence of MRSA, multiple  plasmids and beta-lactamase producing S. aureus in clinical specimens. Thus, a serious global problem and  public health threat that calls for a strict measure in the choice of drugs used in the treatment of illnesses.