Prevalence of mecA Gene of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus spp. Isolated from Nosocomial Infections and Environmental Specimens in Sanandaj Hospitals, Kurdistan, Iran

Background: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the major agents for increasing number of serious hospital and community acquired infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of the MRSA and mecA gene among nosocomial and environmental specimens in Kurdistan hospitals and determining the antibiotic resistance of the isolates. Materials and Methods: A total of 264 clinical and environmental Staphylococcus was isolated from Kurdistan medical University Hospitals, in February 2011 to June 2012 Iran, and their susceptibility patterns to different antibiotics were determined. Furthermore, agar screen method was used to determine oxacillin resistant isolates. Finally, using PCR, the oxacillin resistant isolates were tested for the presence of mecA gene. Results: In this study, from 88 (93.18%) Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 82 were found resistant to oxacillin using agar screen method and mecA gene was detected in 66 strains (75%). Our results showed that the agar screen method is more reliable in determination of MRSA strains compared to PCR. Conclusion: In this research the studied MRSA were found with high prevalence and mecA was widespread in S. aureus isolates in Sanandaj.