Prevalence Of mecA, mecC and icaA Genes in Staphylococcus SPP Isolated from ICU of Beni-Suef University Hospital

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a type of gram-positive bacteria responsible for causing various hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections. MRSA poses a major global health threat, causing various infections such as wound, respiratory, and bloodstream infections. It is linked to high illness and death rates, extended durations of hospitalization and higher medical costs. Objectives: This study aimed to detect antibacterial resistance pattern and incidence of mecA, mecC and icaA genes in Staphylococcus SPP isolated from ICU in Beni-Suef University Hospital over a duration of 6 months. Methodology: Thirty clinical staphylococcus isolates were obtained from patients admitted to ICU of Beni-Suef University Hospital over a period of 6 months. The isolates were identified using bacteriological methods and Vitek 2 automated system. Antibiotic susceptibility profiles were assessed using the disk diffusion method and Vitek 2 automated system. Conventional PCR test was carried out to identify the presence of mecA, mecC and icaA genes. Results: total number of cases with positive staphylococcus aureus was 22 (73.3%) and cases who were positive for coagulase negative staphylococcus (CONS) were 8 (26.7%) cases, 6.7% of cases show positive ica.A gene, 50% had positive mec.A gene versus no cases had positive mec.C gene. There was no statistical significance difference in antibiotic sensitivity by Vitek as regards presence of ica.A gene with p-value >0.05. This indicated no association to that gene on antibiotic sensitivity. Conclusion: our findings highlighted the predominance of MRSA over CONS. Additionally, Molecular analysis showed presence of the ica.A and mec.A resistance gene, but these did not significantly affect resistance patterns.