International Research Journal of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences ISSN (Online): 2581-3277 11 M. Revathi, R. Gopika, A. Panneerselvam, E. S. Karthy, and G. Senthilkumar, “Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistant Pattern of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus,” International Research Journal of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences (IRJPMS), Volume 1, Issue 3, pp. 11- 14, 2018. Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistant Pattern of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus M. Revathi 1* , R. Gopika 2 , A. Panneerselvam 3 , E. S. Karthy 4 , G. Senthilkumar 5 1*, 2, 3, 5 A.V.V.M Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi, Thanjavur - 613503, Tamil Nadu, India 4 AWECARE, Analytical and Research Laboratories, Agrinagar, Thindal, Erode - 638 012, Tamilnadu, India Email address: 1 rvthmailbox@gmail.com Abstract— Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin is a major problem that the world is now facing. MRSA is a major nosocomial pathogen causing significant morbidity and mortality. The study was carried out in Tirupur, Karur and Erode districts during January 2014 to March 2015. A total 308 wound samples were collected in this study. The wound samples were screened for MRSA and their antibiotic resistance pattern was performed. Out of 214 isolates of S.aureus 150 (69.2%) were found to MRSA. Both MRSA and MSSA strains showed 100% resistant to Cephotaxime. Resistant of MRSA to Ceftazidime (91.33%), Co-Trimoxazole (75.33%), Amoxycillin (23.33%), and Ampicillin (21.33%) were observed. Our results concluded alternate source of antibiotics can used to treat resistant pathogens and more research also needed for development of novel antibiotics. Keywords— Wound swabs, MRSA, Antibiogram. Antibiotic resistant. I. INTRODUCTION MRSA is well recognized now as a major cause of nosocomial infections worldwide and these infections impose a high burden on health care resource (Boucher et al., 2008). A significant concern now is the spreading of MRSA in the community, possibly because of antibiotic pressure outside the hospital and transfer from hospital settings. Recent studies in different countries suggest that the epidemiology of MRSA has changed and that community and healthcare associated reservoir of MRSA have expanded (Hugher et al., 2008). Infection outbreaks have been reported from burn wards, nurseries, intensive care units as well as in clinical and surgical patients and due to misuse of antibiotics, lack of hand washing, irresponsible nursing care and presence of carriers among the hospital staff (Zermina et al., 2012). Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major hospital- associated as well as a community-associated pathogen causing a wide range of diseases, including endocarditis, osteomyelitis, toxic-shock syndrome, pneumonia, food poisoning and carbuncles. MRSA is now endemic in India. The incidence of MRSA varies according to the region, 25% in western part of India (Patel et al., 2010) to 50% in south India (Gopalakrishnan et al., 2010). II. MATERIALS AND METHODS Isolation of S. aureus from Clinical Samples A total of 308 swabs from wound samples were collected over a period from January 2014 to March 2015 in Karur, Tirupur and Erode districts, Tamilnadu. These wound swabs taken from postoperative wound from various diabetic foot ulcer, accidental wound, surgical wound infection, bite wound infection, burn wound infection etc., The samples were collected in sterile vials by using sterilized cotton bud dipped in saline water. Before taking swab samples, both hands were thoroughly washed with soap and disinfected with alcohol. The sterile cotton bud was rotated on to the overall surface area of the wound. The cotton bud after swabbing the wound was again kept in the respective sterile vials. These collected samples were immediately transported to the microbiology laboratory and inoculated onto nutrient agar and mannitol salt agar plates. These plates were incubated at 37ºC for 24-48 hours. The golden yellow colored colonies of S. aureus were noted on the MSA plates (Methew et al., 2015). The bacterial isolates were identified by their characteristics appearance on their respective media, gram staining reaction and confirmed by the pattern of biochemical reactions using the standard method (Table I). Detection of MRSA by Chromogenic Agar The Hi-Media (India) made HiCrome MeReSa Agar Base (M1674) was used for detection of the MRSA among the clinical isolates of S. aureus. The medium was prepared by suspending 41.65 g of the medium into 500 ml of the distilled water and boiling. The medium was cooled to around 45 to 50°C and MeReSa selective supplement (FD229) reconstituted with 5 ml sterile distilled water into each methicillin vials having 2.0 mg of antibiotics (methicillin, cefoxitin) as per the direction of the supplier (HiMedia-India), was added and mixed very well. Soon after, the medium was poured into Petri plates and cooled then checked for sterility by keeping at 37°C overnight. In this study the detection of MRSA was determined by direct culture of each swab on HiCrome medium and by subculture of the identified S. aureus strains from mannitol salt agar onto the HiCrome MeReSa agar. Plates were incubated at 35°C for 24 h after which, all cultures showing blue colored growth were taken as MRSA positive strains, while all others are recorded as MSSA strains (HiMedia Labs. Products, India). Antibiotic Sensitivity Test Antibiotic Sensitivity Test was screened using Kirby Bauer method. All the isolates were tested for sensitivity against antimicrobial agents such as Amikacin(30mcg), Gentamicin (10mcg), Kanamycin (30mcg), Tetracyclin (30mcg), NalidixicAcid (30mcg), Ceftazidime (30mcg), Cefpodoxime