Phenotypic characterization of nasal Methicllin resistant staphylococcus aureus isolates from HIV infected and HIV non infected individuals

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of MRSA continues to rise and it has become a worldwide phenomenon now. This makes it imperative to control the spread of MRSA keeping in view the implications on morbidity and cost. Material and methods: Fifty HIV infected and 50 HIV non infected patients were screened for nasal carriage of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Delhi, North India. The isolates were characterized phenotypically by phage typing by the conventional set of phages, MRSA typing by supplementary Phages, Biotyping and antibiogram. Strains were devided into two groups typable or non typable by conventional phage typing.Result: Three isolates of Methicllin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were from HIV infected individuals while, a single isolate was from HIV non infected individuals. While using the MRSA supplementary phages, all were typable. Using the biotyping scheme, strains belonged to two groups A and D. Using the antibiotic sensitivity pattern, all the 4 strains were typed by the scheme called antibiogram. By this method the 4 different isolates showed 4 distinct mnemonic codes known as Resistant Phenotypes.