Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from South Africa

Abstract

Objectives: Trends in the antibiotic susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are regularly investigated in many countries, but few country-wide data are available for South Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of MRSA isolates collected in South Africa.
Design: Susceptibility testing of 248 MRSA isolates collected from 15 National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) and 8 private laboratories against 17 antibiotics was performed using the disk diffusion method. Demographic data was collected and correlated with antibiotic resistance patterns.
Results: Antibiotic resistance of MRSA to erythromycin, tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin ranged between 55%-78%, while all isolates were susceptible to teicoplanin, linezolid, vancomycin and quinopristin/dalfopristin. A significant difference in the resistance pattern of the isolates to certain antimicrobial agents was identified amongst adults and children, as well as between isolates collected from the private and NHLS sectors.
Conclusions: This is the first extensive report of antimicrobial susceptibilities of South African MRSA isolates. These data can assist with treatment decisions and form a baseline for further surveillance.