Antibiotic resistance and CRBSI
Abstract:
Purpose: This study was designed to detect the prevalence of antibiotic and antiseptic resistance genes, mecA and qacA/B in coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) species isolated from intensive care unit patients with catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI) or colonized central venous catheters (CVC).
Methods: Consecutive CoNS isolates from ICU patients with CRBSI or colonized central venous catheters were speciated and antibiotic susceptibilities were determined. The mecA and qacA/B genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction.
Results: Eighty-two CoNS isolates from ICU patients with CRBSI (n = 8) or colonized CVC (n = 74) were included. The mecA gene was detected in 62 CoNS isolates (76%). The commonest species isolated was S. haemolyticus (n = 34; 41%) and 30 of these possessed mecA which was significantly higher compared to other CoNS species (p = 0.036). The qacA/B gene was detected in 13 (16%) isolates. Eleven (13%) CoNS had both genes. A significant association was seen with the presence of mecA and resistance to cloxacillin (p < 0.001) and erythromycin (p = 0.046). Presence of qacA/B (p = 0.007) or both mecA and qacA/B (p = 0.014) was associated with a higher resistance to clindamycin.
Conclusion: A considerably high prevalence of mecA and qacA/B genes as well as co-existence of both genes is noted among the CoNS isolated from ICU patients. This indicates the need of taking prompt actions in hospital acquired infection prevention including continuous surveillance.
Reference:
Medis S, Dissanayake T, Weerasekera M, Namali D, Gunasekara S, Kottahachchi J. Distribution of mecA and qacA/B genes among coagulase negative staphylococci isolated from central venous catheters of intensive care unit patients. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2022 Aug 25:S0255-0857(22)00147-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2022.08.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36031499.