INDUCIBLE CLINDAMYCIN RESISTANCE AMONG CLINICAL ISOLATES OF STAPHYLOCOCCI IN TIRUNELVELI MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT-Objective -To demonstrate inducible clindamycin resistance in the Staphylococcal isolates from various clinical samples by D- test .Materials and methods- A total of 125 Staphylococcus aureus and COagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CONS) isolates were collected. Of the isolates, 82 strains were erythromycin resistant. They were tested for inducible clindamycin resistance by using the D -test (at 15mm disc separation) as per CLSI guidelines.Results- In this study, among the 125 isolates, 11percentage showed inducible clindamycin resistance (iMLSB) .Inducible clindamycin resistance observed among MRSA, MSSA, and MRCONS were 16 percent, 5 percentand 11 percent respectively. There was no inducible clindamycin resistance seen in MSCONS. Constitutive resistance (cMLSB) was seen in 9 percentof the total isolates. The MS phenotype strains were 46 percent and S phenotype were 34 percent.Conclusion- The inducible clindamycin resistance in this study was 11 percent and it was higher among MRSA (16percent). D-test is a very convenient test to perform. It can be done along with the routine antibiotic susceptibility testing in all the staphylococcal isolates. Accurate reporting of clindamycin resistance is mandatory for a successful treatment outcome.