Background: Epidemiologic surveillance is an indispensible tool in understanding the clonal nature and evolution of pathogens. From a previously unstudied region we conducted a study on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Sokoto, Nigeria. This research was conducted to study the prevalence of methicillin-resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus among patients attending some selected hospitals in Sokoto metropolis. Methods: A total of 936 non-repetitive clinical specimens from patients attending three selected hospitals were processed during the study period. Specimens were cultured and isolates identified using standard bacteriologic methods. Methicillin resistance was determined in parallel using 30µg cefoxitin disk and Brilliance™ MRSA 2 Agar. Results: From the 936 specimens analysed, 367(39.2%) staphylococci were isolated. Of these isolates, 234(25%) were identified as S. aureus using standard bacteriologic techniques. The prevalence of MRSA was found to be 43.2% (101/234). The distribution of MRSA by study centre shows that there was no significant difference (p=0.282) in the prevalence of MRSA among the 3 hospitals. Ear swabs had the highest prevalence of MRSA of 75%. The prevalence of MRSA was significantly higher in females, similarly, the prevalence was found to be significantly higher in in-patients (55.8% vs. 25%) than out-patients (p=0.000). Conclusions: The study has established, as a baseline study, the prevalence of MRSA in healthcare centres within the study area at 43.2%. The female gender and hospitalisation were found to be significant risk factors for infection with MRSA

Author Name: Ganau AM and Manga SB

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Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Cefoxitin, Brilliance™ MRSA 2

ISSN: 1116-1043

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