MRSA in Gymnasium Community

The antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus is increasing worldwide and remains as a potential medical threat. A total of 175 samples were collected randomly from 35 men and women who work out regularly in a gymnasium. The samples were collected from sites such as palm, forearm, nose, shoe and towel (n = 175) from each individual. S. aureus were isolated and identified using cultural and biochemical methods and confirmed by coagulase test. Among the 175 samples, 9 isolates (25 %) were positive for coagulase tube test. The Antibiotic sensitivity test (AST) for the isolated S. aureus strains were determined by Kirby Bauer method using appropriate antibiotics. The percentage of test cultures which showed resistance to methicillin (30g), amoxycillin (30g), penicillin (10 U), bacitracin (10 U), vancomycin (30g), novobiocin (50 g) and furazolidone (50 g) were 86, 71, 71, 57, 57, 57, and 57 % respectively. The percentage of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) observed from various screening methods such as oxacillin agar screening test (6mg/l), cefoxitin disc screening test (30 g), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) - agar dilution method for the S. aureus isolates were 17 % (n = 1). The MIC test using different concentration of oxacillin revealed one MRSA strain which had a MIC of 128 mg/l of oxacillin antibiotic and considered as highly resistant strain. A total of one MRSA strain has been isolated out of 175 samples, though it is not very high but shows the prevalence or contamination of CA-MRSA in gymnasium community. The study shows the importance of disinfection or handwashing before and after exposure to gymnasium since there is a risk factor for MRSA contamination. Further this study indicates Cefoxitin test (30g) can be a used for detection of MRSA.