3 Basic Science 1 Laboratory for Sanitary and Clinical Microbiology, 2 Department of social medicine, Cantonal Public Health Institution Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina Corresponding author: Selma Uzunović-Kamberović, Cantonal Public Health Institution, Laboratory for Sanitary and Clinical Microbiology, Fra Ivana Jukića 2, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina Email: selma_kamb@yahoo.com Received: 25. 02. 2007. Accepted: 24. 05. 2007. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the community – laboratory based study Selma Uzunović-Kamberović 1 , Suad Sivić 2 Objective To determine the occurrence and antibiotic resis- tance of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylo- coccus aureus (MRSA) isolates. Methods used In 2003-2005, consecutive samples of nasal, throat, eye, ear and genitouri- nary tract s�abs, s�abs of �ound infections and sof and skin tissue infections and samples of sputum obtained from out- patients submitted to the Laboratory �ith clinical indications �ere analyzed for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. Te disc difusion method using Mueller-Hinton agar (Oxoid, Besingstoke, UK) �as used to test against nine antimicrobi- als. Oxacillin-resistance �as confrmed by E-test (AB Biodisc, Solna, S�eden). Results A total of 1583 (11.3%) nonduplicate S. aureus isolated from 13 937 samples. MRSA �as detected in 63 (4.1%) of S. aureus isolates. MRSA isolates more fre- quently from infected genitourinary tract and �ounds than other sites (p<0.0001). Te patients in both age groups ≥65 and 0-6 years of age �ere more frequently infected �ith MRSA than patients of other age groups (p=0.02). Statisti- cally signifcant diferences in susceptibility rates bet�een MSSA and MRSA isolates �ere found for all antibiotic tested (p=0.0053 to p<0.000). MRSA isolates �ere more frequently multidrug resistant (MDR) than MSSA isolates (p=0.0009). SCCmec type IV or V phenotype �as detected in 30 (47.6%) of MRSA isolates. Conclusion Although lo� MRSA prevalence �as noted, the presence of SCCmec type IV/V phenotypes in the community is of particular concern. Efective control of dissemination of MRSA throughout the community �ill likely require efective control and monitoring of nosocomial MRSA transmission. Key words: S. aureus, MRSA, MSSA, SCCmec, Resistance, Multidrug resistance.