INVITRO ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ON SKIN OF INDIVIDUALS IN GBOKO METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of skin colonization and infections worldwide, with increasing resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Understanding its prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns is essential for guiding therapy and infection control. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of MRSA isolated from the skin of individuals in Gboko Metropolis. A total of 50 swab samples were collected using sterile swab sticks. The samples were collected from male and females of both ages . The samples were pre enriched using pepton water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Mannitol salt agar was prepared according to the manufacturer’s instruction. The pre enriched skin swab samples were inoculated onto mannitol salt agar. The inoculated plates were incubated at 370C for 24hrs . The colonies obtained were sub-cultured on nutrient agar to obtain pure isolates. The isolates were identified using morphological and biochemical tests .The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates were determined using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method . Age range 35-44 (88.2 %,n=15) has the highest number of MRSA isolates .while age range 15-24 (83.8%,n=5) has the lowest MRSA isolates . There was a statistically significant association between MRSA prevalence and age group examined (p< 0.05) . Based on sex distribution, MRSA prevalence was higher among males ( 90 %,n=19) compared to females (89.5%,n=17). The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.005). Based on antibiotic use all participants (100%) reported prior antibiotic use. The isolates were highly resistant to methicillin (92%, n=35) and Ceftriaxone (74%, n=29). And moderate susceptible to methicillin ( 8%, n=3),and Ceftriaxone (26%, n=10). The prevalence recorded in this study indicates a significant level of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization on the skin of individuals in Gboko metropolis, which poses a potential public health concern. The high resistance observed could be attributed to the irrational and widespread use of antibiotics among the study population.Therefore antibiotic stewardship programs and public enlightenment campaigns are necessary to reduce misuse of antibiotics and to limit the spread of resistant strains.