Phenotypic and Genotypic detection of local MRSA isolates

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections have become a global health problem particularly in developing countries. MRSA strains are characterized by rapid resistance against different groups of antibiotics.The current study was aimed to identify MRSA isolates phenotypically by disk diffusion method and genoytypically by PCR. A total of 200 clinical specimens were collected from Zagazig University Hospitals and ElAhrar Educational Hospital in Zagazig, Egypt, and identified biochemically. Out of these specimens, 117 isolates were identified as MRSA by disk diffusion method (DDM); only 114 of these isolates were identified as MRSA by PCR amplification of mecA gene. The study revealed that PCR was more accurate and rapid than other conventional methods and it is considered the gold standard method for MRSA detection to avoid false positive identification of MRSA.