Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant public health concern due to its high resistance to commonly used antibiotics. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MRSA from clinical specimens collected from a teaching hospital in Port Harcourt and assess its antibiotic susceptibility pattern. A total of 294 specimens which included wound swabs, ear swab, stool, and urine were collected from patients presenting with suspected Staphylococcus aureus infections over a 12-month period (May 2022-April, 2023). Specimens were cultured for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus on mannitol salt agar. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern and Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were screened using standard laboratory procedures. Of the 294 clinical specimens analyzed, 37 (12.58%) were confirmed to be positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Among these, 25 isolates (69.4%) were identified as MRSA. The highest prevalence of MRSA was observed in stool (89%), followed by wound and urine (75%). However, ear specimens showed the lowest MRSA prevalence (38.46%). The MRSA isolates exhibited high resistance rates to commonly prescribed antibiotics, such as cefuroxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, cloxacillin and augmentin, while relatively higher susceptibility was observed to ofloxacin and gentamycin. The prevalence of MRSA in clinical specimens from the teaching hospital in Port Harcourt is substantial, with an alarming level of antibiotic resistance observed against commonly used antibiotics. This highlights the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship and infection control measures to curb the spread of MRSA in healthcare settings. Prompt identification and appropriate management of MRSA infections are crucial to mitigate its impact on patient outcomes and overall public health.