Plasmid-Mediated methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in patients attending a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Objective: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a problematic cause of both hospital and community infections globally. This study was aimed at identifying MRSA causing infections among hospital patients in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.Methodology: One hundred and thirty clinical specimens from hospital patients were inoculated on MacConkey and blood agar plates, incubated overnight at 370C to isolate Staph aureus. MRSA strains were then identified as pink or mauve colonies on CHROMagar MRSA culture medium (CHROMagar Microbiology, Paris, France). Mechanism of resistance by the MRSA was tested for by plasmid curing experiment using anti-plasmid agents (acridine orange and ethidium bromide).Results: Of the 100 isolates of Staph aureus, 88 (88%) were methicillin resistant, while 4.5% of these were plasmid- mediated.Conclusions: The presence of MRSA among patients attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital has been confirmed in this study. Personal hygiene, decontamination of hands through proper washing and rational use of antibiotics could considerably reduce levels of infections. Screening of asymptomatic persons and those who have recently visited the hospital may be a significant proactive measure to curtail spread of the pathogen