Phenotypic detection of resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates: Detection of (mec A and fem A) gene in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by Polymerase Chain Reaction

Background: The drug resistant phenomenon is being worldwide concern especially in the last 20 years. Among the most threatening antibiotic-resistant pathogens known are strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus ? (MRSA), they are resistant to ß-lactams and other cell-wall-active agents. In many developing countries, the situation appears gloomy due to inadequate or poor implementation of policy on infection control, lack of political will, inadequate resources including shortage of skilled manpower, poor motivation of health care workers and researchers. Objective: The present study tries to describe an accurate and quick detection for of clinically relevant antibiotic resistance gene of Staphylococcus aureus using PCR technique. Methodology: The mec A gene was amplified to characterize MRSA isolates at species level. The S. aureus ? isolates were analyzed for their susceptibility to different classes of antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. Results: Of the total 429 Staphylococcus aureus isolated, 114 (26.54%) strains were MRSA. MSRA strains were selected for PCR assay. Eighty one MRSA strains (71.05%) were mecA gene positive and thirty three (28.95%) MRSA strains were mecA negative visualized on 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. Conclusions: The PCR assay was rapid and accurate procedure for the detection mec A gene of MRSA strains as compared to the conventional methods like cutler, biochemical and microscopically since the time was taken is less and can help efficiently in infection management. Keywords: mec A, fem A, MRSA, SCC, PBP2a, PCR, genes, Staphylococcus aureu