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. 2024 Mar 15;24(1):320.
doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-09126-1.

Antimicrobial resistance markers distribution in Staphylococcus aureus from Nsukka, Nigeria

Martina C Agbo  1 , Ifeoma M Ezeonu  2 , Beatrice O Onodagu  3 , Chukwuemeka C Ezeh  2 , Chizoba A Ozioko  4 , Stephen C Emencheta  5   6
Affiliations

Antimicrobial resistance markers distribution in Staphylococcus aureus from Nsukka, Nigeria

Martina C Agbo et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus continues to influence treatment complications in clinical settings globally. Multidrug-resistant-S. aureus (MDR-SA) is often genetically driven by resistance markers transferable in pathogenic strains. This study aimed to determine the distribution of resistance markers in clinical isolates of S. aureus in Nsukka, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 154 clinical samples were cultured on mannitol salt agar. Isolates were characterized using conventional cultural techniques and confirmed by PCR detection of S. aureus-specific nuc gene. Antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates were determined against selected antibiotics using the disk-diffusion method, while screening for antibiotic resistance genes (Mec A, Erm A, Erm B, Erm C, Van A, and Van B) was by PCR.

Results: A total of 98 isolates were identified as S. aureus by conventional methods. Of these, 70 (71.43%) were confirmed by PCR. Phenotypically, the isolates exhibited high degrees of resistance to oxacillin (95.72%), erythromycin (81.63%), and ertapenem (78.57%) and 75.51% and 47.30% against methicillin and vancomycin, respectively. Multiple antibiotic resistance indexes of the isolates ranged from 0.3 to 1, and the most prevalent pattern of resistance was oxacillin-ertapenem-vancomycin-erythromycin-azithromycin-clarithromycin-ciprofloxacin- cefoxitin-amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. PCR screening confirmed the existence of various antibiotic resistance makers among the strains, with the most common resistance genes found in the isolates being Mec A (32.14%), Van A (21.43%), Van B (10.71%), Erm B (10.71%), and Erm C (17.86%). None possessed the Erm A gene.

Conclusion: The study supports the need for necessary action, including rational drug use, continuous surveillance, and deployment of adequate preventive and curative policies and actions.

Keywords: S. Aureus; Antibiotic resistance; Genes; Markers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(A & B) are Amplified PCR products of the nuc gene at (270 bp). Lane M: 100 bp DNA ladder, lanes 1 to 14 and 16 to 27 positive to staphylococcus aureus
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(A & B) are Amplified PCR products of the mecA gene at (533 bp). Lane m: 100 bp ladder. Lanes 2, 3, 14, 25, 26 and 28 positive to MecA gene
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Amplified PCR Products of Van A gene at (713 bp); lane M: 100 bp ladder. Lane 25 to 28 positive to Van A gene for vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) isolates
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
(A & B) are Amplified PCR products of the Van B gene at (430 bp). Lane M: 100 bp ladder; lanes 4, 7, and 16 positives to Van B gene for vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) isolates
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
(A & B) are Amplified PCR products of erm B at (142 bp). Lane M: 100 bp ladder; Lane 3, 22, and 25 positives to erm B gene for Erythromycin resistant S. aureus
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
(A & B) are Amplified PCR products of Erm C at (190 bp). Lane M: 100 bp ladder lane. Lane 1, 2, 22, 25 and 28 positive to Erm C gene for Erythromycin resistant S. aureus
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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