Prevalence of linezolid antibiotic resistance in MRSA strains isolated from hospitalized children clinical samples

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria is spreading in the community. It is a global threat that has caused serious infections in the community as well as health centers. This study was aimed to evaluate the pattern of antibiotic resistance and the prevalence of SCCmec types (I- IV) among community (CA-MRSA) and healthcare-associated (HA-MRSA) MRSA strains isolated from the clinical samples of hospitalized children. A total of 93 S. aureus isolates were collected from the clinical samples sent to Ahvaz Children's Medical Center Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran in a period of six months. The clinical samples of hospitalized children were used to determine the pattern of resistance to 8 different antibiotics including methicillin. Based on our results, out of 93 S. aureus isolates, 59 isolates were methicillin resistant. The presence of mec gene was indicated in 54 isolates, while 5 isolates were shown to lack this gene. Furthermore, assessment of the prevalence of SCCmec types (I- IV) among MRSA isolates showed type Ⅳ as the highest prevalent SCCmec type. The high prevalence of antibiotic resistant S. aureus samples can be attributed to long-term hospitalization of patients in the ward, the excessive use of antibiotics to treat infections and the increased occurrence of antibiotic resistance among clinical isolates. As a result, correct and appropriate use of antibiotics along with strict monitoring of the hospital's infection control department, seems both necessary and important.