Objective: Previous studies done in the hospital setting in Guyana have shown that the frequency of isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates far exceeds the worldwide estimate of 50%. These past studies have been based on the use of the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion methodology. The present study was conducted to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of clinical isolates of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus using the broth microdilution method. Design and Methods: A total of 101 consecutive, non-repetitive S. aureus isolates obtained from the GPHC medical lab during a six-week period were included in the study. These isolates were identified as MRSA and MSSA by laboratory personnel using the cefoxitin disk diffusion method. The oxacillin MICs for all isolates obtained were determined using prepared oxacillin broth microdilution trays with concentrations ranging from 4 μg/ml to 256 μg/ml. All results were interpreted according to CLSI guidelines. Results: The prevalence of MRSA at GPHC was found to be 65.35% with a majority of the isolates being high level oxacillin resistant strains with MICs > 256 μg/ml (84.85%). In our study, most resistant isolates were collected from patients admitted to the FSW (16.67%), Paediatric Wards (13.65%), MSW (13.64%), and FMW (12.12%). Additionally, 35 (79.55%) MSSA were suspected oxacillin susceptible with MIC < 4 μg/ml. The relationship between the cefoxitin disc diffusion and oxacillin broth microdilution results was found to be statistically significant with a p < 0.001. Conclusion: Methicillin-resistance continues to be a major problem in the hospital setting, and this study has should that commonly used conventional techniques are unlikely to identify all of the potentially resistant isolates. Recommendation: The high prevalence and high oxacillin MIC of MRSA at GPHC suggests that more emphasis should be placed on infection control and surveillance programs within the hospital setting.

Background and Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylocccus aureus (MRSA) continues to be a major problem globally. Previous data had suggested that the prevalence of MRSA infections in the tertiary hospital setting was 51%. The aim of this study was to conduct a point prevalence survey of MRSA infections occurring at a tertiary-care hospital in Georgetown, Guyana, and to determine to what extent methicillin-resistance was occurring among Staphylococcus aureus isolates utilising the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data. Study Design: This study was based on a prospective, analytical design. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology department, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and Department of Medical Technology, University of Guyana, between May 2019 and July 2019. Methodology: A total of 101 consecutive, non-repetitive, laboratory-identified MRSA and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates were tested using an oxacillin broth microdilution method. Results: We found that 65.4% of Staphylococcus aureus were oxacillin (methicillin) resistant with a majority of the isolates being high level oxacillin resistant strains (i.e., MICs > 256 μg/ml) (84.85%). Most of the resistant isolates were collected from patients admitted to medical and surgical wards. Conclusion: Methicillin-resistance continues to be a major problem in the hospital setting and conventional techniques are unlikely to identify all of the potentially resistant isolates.