The Incidence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in Lahore.

Abstract

Staph. Aureus is the most common gram positive nosocomial pathogen. Strains of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin are a cause of concern worldwide. To date no data is available on the incidence of MRSA in Lahore, Two hundred randomly selected Staphylococcus aureus isolates from different hospitals of Lahore were tested for sensitivity to methicillin using modified Kirby-Bauer method. Sensitivity plates were incubated at 30°C. Twenty nine percent of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were methicillin resistant. The percentage of MRSA was 20% at Sh. Zayed Hospital, 21.6% at Services Hospital and 32.6% at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Majority of MRSA strains were isolated from sputum, pus/wound swabs and blood. All MRSA were beta lactamase positive. The present study shows that infection with MRSA is a common occurrence in various hospitals of Lahore, to control these infections it is recommended that a proper infection control program should be instituted.