Phenotyphic Identification and Distribution of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Clinical Samples in Some Selected Hospital Laboratories in Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most successful modern pathogens, and is transmitted in both health- care and community settings as a leading cause of bacteraemia, endocarditis, skin and soft tissue infections. This study was undertaken to identify and determine the distribution of MRSA from clinical samples in Sokoto. A total of 95 non repetitive S. aureus isolates were collected and screened for confirmation using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was carried out by disc diffusion using Cefoxitin. Of the 95 isolates, 42(44.2%) were methicillin resistant. The most potent antibiotic was quinupristin/dalfopristin with 83.3% followed by rifampicin with 81.0%. The least activity was shown to be in ciprofloxacin with 78.6% followed by tetracycline with 64.3%. Based on distribution of the MRSA, the highest prevalence of MRSA seen was by study centers Specialist Hospital (57.1%), females (48.9%), by age 21-30 years (56.5%), by samples pus, nasal and urethral swabs (100%) and patient admission status, inpatients (51.9%). With MRSA being a nosocomial pathogen, our findings highlight the need to pursue infection control measures in the hospitals while implementing antibiotic stewardship programs to reduce antibiotics misuse.