DETERMINATION OF VANCOMYCIN MINIMUM INHIBITORY CONCENTRATION AMONG STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ISOLATES

Resistance and decreased susceptibility to Vancomycin among Staphylococcus aureus is on the rise. Therefore it is important to screen Staphylococcus aureus isolates for Vancomycin sensitivity to categorize them as vancomycin susceptible, vancomycin intermediate-susceptible (VISA) and vancomycin resistant (VRSA), so as to curb their spread in hospital settings. The determination of MIC of vancomycin among susceptible isolates is required to administer the drug in the minimum required dosage. Over a period of 2 months, vancomycin MIC of all the S. aureus isolated in the Institute-laboratory was determined by agar dilution method and HiComb method. All 50 isolates were found to be sensitive to vancomycin. Agar dilution method was found to be a better method for vancomycin MIC determination.