Slime-Producing Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus: A Prevalence Study In Hospitalized Patients At A Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background: The VITEK 2 Compact system is a reliable, automated tool for the detection of MRSA, utilizing advanced algorithms for precise antimicrobial susceptibility profiling and species identification. In a study of 62 MRSA isolates, the highest antibiotic sensitivities were observed for daptomycin and tigecycline (100%), followed by linezolid (98.38%) and teicoplanin (95.16%). Resistance was particularly high for erythromycin (69.35%) and clindamycin (66.12%). Slime-producing Staphylococcus aureus strains, with capsular polysaccharides bound to their cell walls, enhance their colonization and resistance. This slime layer, which promotes bacterial adhesion especially to prosthetic surfaces, reduces antibiotic efficacy, leading to more persistent infections. Detecting oxacillin-resistant strains is crucial to guide treatment and limit vancomycin overuse, which could otherwise drive resistance development. Material and Methods: A two-year A laboratory analysis was conducted to evaluate slime production in Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains at a tertiary care hospital. Results: A total of 62 slime producing Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates were analyzed. Slime production was detected using the Congo Red Agar method, and in varying degrees using the Standard Tube method (42% weakly positive, 32% moderately positive, 26% strongly positive). Conclusion: Microbial slimes contribute to persistent infections, posing challenges for healthcare and leading to high costs. In this study, identifying slime-producing microbes enables targeted treatments, allowing for early intervention and appropriate antibiotic use. By being proactive, we can improve patient outcomes, cut down on healthcare costs, and lessen the severity of chronic illnesses.