[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Present prevalence in an area in southern Spain].
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious problem in some geographic areas. Its prevalence can change according to area and can even vary within a country. It is important to know the prevalence of resistance in each area so that the correct empirical treatment can be applied when these infections are suspected. We studied all the consecutive S. aureus isolates collected in our hospital from 2000-2001 and included only one isolate per patient. Identification of the isolate and determination of susceptibility were carried out using an automated system (VITEK, bioMérieux). High resistance to oxacillin was identified and high resistance was observed for erythromycin (41.22%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (26.48%), and ciprofloxacin (25.74%). S. aureus resistance to oxacillin was found to be 67.64% in catheter samples and 44.11% in urine samples. Multiresistant MRSA (to more than five antibiotics) accounted for 66.6%, with 4% resistant to two antibiotics. MRSA is a serious problem in our area and its prevalence is on the rise, as is multiresistance. The means of monitoring and controlling these strains need to be increased.
Cobo Martínez
F
F
Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Carlos Haya, Avda de Carlos Haya s/n, 29010 Málaga.
Manchado Mañas
P
P
Porras Ballesteros
J
J
Cárdenas Martínez
A
A
D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*