Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Surveillance in Diabetic Foot Clinic (DFC)

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) among infected /colonized foot ulcer , nasal carriage and hospital environment in diabetic foot clinic . METHODS: During 3 months duration among 64 selected diabetic patients, S. aureus were identified, then Methicillin resistance detection was done by oxacillin disk diffusion tests, and confirmed by detection of PBP2a production by screen latex agglutination test. All MRSA isolates were tested for their antibiotic susceptibilities by the NCCLS agar disk diffusion method. RESULTS :Infection/colonization rate among 64 selected diabetic patients was 41% vs. 17%. Nasal carriage of MRSA was detected among 21patients (34%) and one isolates from 6 studied HCW(16%) . Only 4 MRSA isolates (13%) were isolated from the desk of the DFC at the end of the clinical session. Multiple resistance to non-ß-lactam antimicrobials (erythromycin , clindamycin, gentamicin and tetracycline), was also highly prevalent among the infected and nasal colonization of MRSA isolates by 30% and 5% respectively .CONCLUSION: This study underscores the need for hospital clinicians to be aware of the common bacterial isolates in their unit and their usual antibiotic susceptibility. This is imperative in order to make rational decisions for the prudent use of antibiotics, particularly for empirical therapy.