Abstract

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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.

Keywords: Plasmid profile; Prevalence; MRSA; Patients