title: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Zimbabwe.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Africa is sparsely documented. In Zimbabwe there is no routine patient or specimen screening for MRSA. The aim of this study was to document the presence and epidemiology of MRSA in Zimbabwe.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was done in one private sector laboratory with a national network that serves both public and private hospitals. The sample population included in-patients and outpatients, all ages, both genders, all races and only one positive specimen per patient was counted. Specimens testing positive for Staphylococcus aureus in this laboratory were further tested for MRSA using cefoxitin, by standard laboratory procedures. Data was collected from 1(st) June 2013 to 31(st) May 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MRSA was positive in 30 of 407 [7.0%] cases of Stapylococcus aureus reported from the laboratory. All age groups were affected from neonates to geriatrics. All specimens had similar antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Resistance was high for most widely used drugs in Zimbabwe with high sensitivity to vancomycin, linezolid and teicoplanin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there are no recent reports in the literature of the presence of MRSA in Zimbabwe, this study documented a 7.0% prevalence. Resistance to common antibiotics is high and antibiotic oversight is required to control the emergence of resistance to these few expensive drugs.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Study was supported by Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care funds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Mazowe St, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Kathrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mauchaza
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Mazowe St, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Farai D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Madzimbamuto
authors.affiliation: Lancet Laboratories, P.O Box 8475, Gauteng, South Africa.
authors.forename: Seymour
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002440:Cefoxitin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000069349:Linezolid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D017334:Teicoplanin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017334:Teicoplanin; D002440:Cefoxitin; D014640:Vancomycin; D000069349:Linezolid
keywords: Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Zimbabwe; antibiotic resistance; teicoplanin; vancomycin