Antibiotic resistance profile in community-associated Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from a Nigerian peri-urban community

The present study was undertaken to determine the antibiotic resistance profile and the prevalence of community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMRSA) in Ile-Ife, south-Western Nigeria. Ear, eye, skin and soft tissue swabs were collected from 50 subjects at the Primary Health Centre of a university teaching hospital at Ile-Ife. Isolation, identification and susceptibility pattern of the isolates was determined. The methicillin resistant strains were confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of the mecA gene. The entire tests were done according to standard protocols. Forty S. aureus strains were identified and were observed to be 85% multidrug resistant but were all susceptible to ciprofloxacin. Phenotypic resistance to oxacillin was observed in 5 (12.5%) of the S. aureus strains, of which 4 were multi-drug resistant. However, the mecA gene was detected in only one of the MRSA strains. The study reveals that the community S. aureus strains were multidrug resistant. The study suggests public health education and adequate drug monitoring measures to curtail an increase in antibiotics resistance in the community.