Detection and Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in Ear Infections in Tanta, Egypt

Abstract

Ear infection is a common clinical problem worldwide and the main cause of preventable hearing loss in the developing world. The increasing incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections (MRSA) in ear, nose and throat (ENT) diseases is becoming a big clinical concern. This study aimed to investigate Staphyloccocus aureus (S. aureus) as a common bacterial causative agent of ear infection, characterize the isolates resistance profiles, investigate the incidence of MRSA among S. aureus isolates, and occurrence of mecA gene among MRSA isolates in Tanta, Egypt. The main isolated bacteria in this study were S. aureus (n=108) accounting for 37.5% of the total bacterial isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of S. aureus isolates to 15 antimicrobials was performed. All S.aureus isolates (100%) were resistant to penicillin. Moreover, high resistance rates were observed against cefoxitin (63%), rifampin (57.4%), and clindamycin (50.9%). In contrast, ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin had the lowest resistance rates (3.7% for each). In this study, 68 (63%) S. aureus isolates were recorded as MRSA using the Oxacillin Resistance Screening Agar Base (ORSAB) medium. The presence of mecA gene was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The incidence of mecA gene among the selected isolates was 92.5%. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that the incidence rate of MRSA is becoming a real threat with potential major public health problems in the management of patients with ear infections in Tanta, Egypt. We recommend the necessity of regular evaluation of the microbiological pattern and antibiogram of S. aureus as one of the major pathogens of ear infection.

Novel synergistic interactions between monolaurin, a mono-acyl glycerol and β lactam antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus: an in vitro study

“…Our results were at conflicts with a research by Sonbol et al [ 35 ], which revealed that ciprofloxacin had the lowest resistance rates (3.7% resistance) against the tested isolates. Additionally, substantial resistance rates to rifampin (57.4%) were found, which was higher than our findings for rifampin, respectively.…”

Frequency, Types and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Bacteria in Culture Positive Ear Swabs of Patients Attending Referral Hospital in Southern Zone of Tanzania

“…2 Staphylococcus aureus is considered one of the predominant bacterial causes of ear infections and shows a global concern in resistance to the most available treatment options. 20 Nowadays, the emergence of MRSA isolates is becoming a growing challenge as it can impair the management of Staphylococcus aureus infections. 20 World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that 64% of people with MRSA infections are more likely to die than people with drug-sensitive infections.…”

“…20 Nowadays, the emergence of MRSA isolates is becoming a growing challenge as it can impair the management of Staphylococcus aureus infections. 20 World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that 64% of people with MRSA infections are more likely to die than people with drug-sensitive infections. 21 The study reveals more than fifty percent of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were MRSA.…”