Antimicrobial resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from hospital and community sources in southern Jamaica

Objectives: In this study, we assessed the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and prevalence of methicillin resistance among Stophylococcus aureus isolates from hospital and community sources in southern Jamaica. Methods: Eighty isolates of S. aureus obtained from hospital and community-based patients with staphylococcal infections were collected, and antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by disk diffusion. Results: While all specimens yielded isolates, multidrug-resistant isolates were obtained only from urine, high vaginal swab, abscess aspirate, and catheter tip samples. The overall prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was 23%. The proportions of MRSA isolated from hospital sources (18/39) and community sources were 46% and 0%, respectively (p < 0.05). The pattern of antibiotic susceptibility of S. aureus differed significantly between MRSA and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) isolates. For MRSA isolates, multiple-drug resistance was common and only few antibiotics were active against these isolates. However, no MRSA was resistant to vancomycin. Except for penicillin and to some extent co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), most MSSA isolates were susceptible to nearly all antimicrobial agents used in this study. Conclusions: This is the first report of MRSA from this region of Jamaica. Because methicillin resistance is associated with multiple-drug resistance in S. aureus, it is imperative that surveillance initiatives be focused on both the hospital and community in order to monitor and limit the spread of this organism. (C) 2006 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.