Multidrug Resistance Pattern of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates in Maiduguri Metropolis

Multi drug-resistant (MDR) isolates of Staphylococcus aureus are on rise and are becoming a challenge for timely and appropriate treatment. The present study was carried out with an objective to isolate Staphylococcus aureus from clinical samples and determine their sensitivity. Out of 110 samples collected, 44 were shown to contained S. aureus. The isolates were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity tests using 10 different and commonly used antibiotics by modified Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion technique. Out of the total isolates (42) tested, only 7.1% were susceptible to all the antibiotics. Multiple resistance was eminent in over 92% with highest occurrence in 4.8% where the entire antibiotics were resisted. Multiple antibiotic resistance indixes (MAR index) indicated that 0.6 index occurred most (23.8%) followed by 0.5 (19.0%). On the other hand, 0.1 and 0.8 indexes were the lowest with 0.0% and 1.0% occurrence respectively. Ciprofloxacin was resisted by most of the organisms (64.3%) while amoxicillin (64.3%) and streptomycin (61.9%) were most efficacious. With over 90% isolate having MAR index ? 0.2, the multiple drug resistance by the S. aureus is quite alarming and might suggest inappropriate antibiotic usage by the sampled population. Therefore, the need to strategize the nature of antibiotic treatment against S. aureus and massive campaign on indiscriminate antibiotic use is urgent.