# Antimicrobial resistance markers distribution in Staphylococcus aureus from Nsukka, Nigeria

## TL;DR

This study examines antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus from Nigeria, identifying common resistance genes and high resistance rates to several antibiotics.

## Contribution

The study provides new data on the distribution of specific resistance markers in S. aureus isolates from Nsukka, Nigeria.

## Key findings

- High resistance rates to oxacillin, erythromycin, and ertapenem were observed in S. aureus isolates.
- Common resistance genes identified include Mec A, Van A, Van B, Erm B, and Erm C.

## Abstract

Multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus continues to influence treatment complications in clinical settings globally. Multidrug-resistant-S. aureus (MDR-SA) is often genetically driven by resistance markers transferable in pathogenic strains. This study aimed to determine the distribution of resistance markers in clinical isolates of S. aureus in Nsukka, Nigeria.

A total of 154 clinical samples were cultured on mannitol salt agar. Isolates were characterized using conventional cultural techniques and confirmed by PCR detection of S. aureus-specific nuc gene. Antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates were determined against selected antibiotics using the disk-diffusion method, while screening for antibiotic resistance genes (Mec A, Erm A, Erm B, Erm C, Van A, and Van B) was by PCR.

A total of 98 isolates were identified as S. aureus by conventional methods. Of these, 70 (71.43%) were confirmed by PCR. Phenotypically, the isolates exhibited high degrees of resistance to oxacillin (95.72%), erythromycin (81.63%), and ertapenem (78.57%) and 75.51% and 47.30% against methicillin and vancomycin, respectively. Multiple antibiotic resistance indexes of the isolates ranged from 0.3 to 1, and the most prevalent pattern of resistance was oxacillin-ertapenem-vancomycin-erythromycin-azithromycin-clarithromycin-ciprofloxacin- cefoxitin-amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. PCR screening confirmed the existence of various antibiotic resistance makers among the strains, with the most common resistance genes found in the isolates being Mec A (32.14%), Van A (21.43%), Van B (10.71%), Erm B (10.71%), and Erm C (17.86%). None possessed the Erm A gene.

The study supports the need for necessary action, including rational drug use, continuous surveillance, and deployment of adequate preventive and curative policies and actions.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-024-09126-1.