Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a global challenge. The shift of this organism form hospital settings to community setting and increasing resistance to non-β-lactams antibiotics have further aggravated the crisis. This trend in MRSA has necessitated the knowledge and sensitization about this agent among physicians in rural and peripheral settings. Material and Methods: Present study was undertaken at Department of Microbiology at rural medical college of North India from January 2017 to December 2019 (3 years). All the clinical samples collected with aseptic precautions were processed as per standard protocol. All the Staphylococcus aureus isolates cultured were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing as per CLSI guidelines 2019. Screening for MRSA was done by CLSI recommended methods, such as cefoxitin disc (30 μg), oxacillin disc (1 μg), and oxacillin screen agar as per CLSI recommendation. Results: A steady increase in number of MRSA isolates was observed from year 2017 to 2019 with overall prevalence being 33.7%. Most MRSA isolates were obtained from pus samples. Cefoxitin disc diffusion method is a dependable detection method compared to oxacillin disc diffusion and oxacillin screen agar for identification of MRSA. Conclusion: The rising trend of MRSA impresses upon the acute need of stringent infection control practices namely strict compliance to hand hygiene, prevention of misuse and overuse of antibiotics and a continuous surveillance program for MRSA. Also sensitization about this agent among the primary health physician is the need of hour to implement the control measures and limit its spread in communities.

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Background: Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A Streptococcus, in addition to sore throat is responsible for certain non-suppurative diseases, such as acute rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, which occur weeks after the acute infectious process. Anti-streptolysin-O (ASO) titer determination is one of important test sought by clinician. ASO has been shown to vary with age, geographical location, season, and site of infection. Aims and Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence of ASO antibodies and its clinical correlates in a tertiary healthcare facility of Southern Haryana. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was done on 453 samples received in the Department of Microbiology, Shaheed Hassan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nuh, Haryana, on the blood samples received for the detection of ASO, over a period of 5 years (November 2015–October 2020). The data was analyzed for seroprevalence pattern of ASO and association of the same with clinical symptoms. Results: The seroprevalence of ASO antibodies in the present study was found to be 11.3%. Females were more positive than males being 60.8% and 39.2%, respectively. The most common age group involved was 11–20 years. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of ASO antibodies in the present study was found to be 11.3%. Females showed more positivity compared to males. ASO positivity was seen more in the 11–20 years of the age group which could be due to the development of more competent immune system by this age. Arthralgia, fever, carditis, and sore throat were the common clinical presentations. The ASO test is an important investigation being easy to perform even in rural settings providing crucial clue for the diagnosis of post-streptococcal sequelae.