ABSTRACT

The prevalence of Hospital-acquired Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(HA-MRSA) from in-patients of the Abia State Diagnostic and Specialist Center, Umuahia was investigated. Out of 80 samples cultured, 73 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were identified. The antibiotic susceptibility test was done using the Agar disc diffusion method. Multiple disc containing 8 antibiotics; Cloxacillin, Ofloxacin, Erthromycin, Gentamicin, Ceftazidine, Cefurozime. Augmentin and Ceftriazone.  59 (81%) of the isolates were resistant to Methicillin which was represented by Cloxacillin. There was relatively high resistance of the S. aureus isolates to Ofloxacin 52 (71.23%), Ceftriazone 42 (57.53%), Cefurozime 37 (50.68%), Erythromycin 40 (54.79%) and Ceftazidine 35 (47.94%). They were also sensitive to Gentamicin 53 (72.60%) and Augmentin 42 (57.53%).From this study, it can be deduced that there is high prevalence of methicilin resistance 59(81%) among in-patients of government owned hospitals. Radical measures should be put in place to curb this infection which is causing restlessness in the health care sector.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of content v

List of table viii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Aims and objectives 4

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 

2.1 The organism Staphylococcus aureus 5

2.2 General characteristics 6

2.3 Pathogenicity / toxicity 6

2.4 Mode of transmission 7

2.5 Mode of reproduction 8

2.6 Virulence factors 8

2.7 Role of Staphylococcus aureus in causing disease 12

2.8 Antibiotic resistance and sensitivity 13

2.9 Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 14

2.9.1 Mode of transmission 15

2.9.2 Risk factors 16

2.9.3 Prevention and control of MRSA 18

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study area 21

3.2 Study design 21

3.3 Sample collection 21

3.4 Preparation of culture media 21

3.5 Sterilization of materials 22

3.6 Isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus  22

3.7 Gram staining 22

3.8 Biochemical tests 23

3.9 Preparation of turbidity standard Equivalent to Mc FARLAND 0.5 24

3.10 Antibiotic susceptibility test 24

3.11 Measurement of zone of inhibition  25

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Result 26

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Discussion 32

5.2 Conclusion 34

5.3 Contribution to Knowledge 34

5.4 Recommendation 35

References 36

Appendix 

LIST OF TABLES 

Table Title Page 

1:    Identification and characterization of S. aureus isolates 27

2:    Occurrence of S.aureus in nasal passages of in- patients at the 

Abia State Specialist and Diagnostic center, Umuahia. 28

3:      Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolates

  (Pattern of  inhibition). 29

4:    Antimicrobial Susceptibility profile of S.aureus isolates from nasal 

 passages of Patients examined. 30 

5 Prevalence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 31