Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) at a maternity and children hospital in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.
Hadiah Almutairi, Heyam Albahadel, Abdullah A Alhifany, Hind Aldalbahi, Faris S Alnezary, Ibrahim Alqusi, Mugahid A Mobark, Masaad Saeed Almutairi
Author Information
Hadiah Almutairi: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Hafr Albatin, Saudi Arabia.
Heyam Albahadel: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah A Alhifany: Pharmaceutical Practices Department, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Hind Aldalbahi: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia.
Faris S Alnezary: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Madinah 41477, Saudi Arabia.
Ibrahim Alqusi: Laboratory Department, Maternity and Children Hospital in Buraydah City, Ministry of Health, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
Mugahid A Mobark: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia.
Masaad Saeed Almutairi: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia.
Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) pathogens are considered a serious global health threat, leading to increased mortality and antimicrobial resistance. Rates in Saudi Arabia remain high, necessitating continuous surveillance. This study investigates MRSA prevalence and susceptibility at a Saudi maternity and children's hospital. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on pediatric (<18 years) and maternal patients with infection from Jan. 2020 to March. 2022. Bacterial strains were obtained from patient's clinical specimens and was identified by standard method. The BD Phoenix™ M50 was used for antibiotic susceptibility tests and MRSA detection. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) with SPSS software. Results: Out of 152 cases, 114/152 (75 %) were pediatric and 38/152 (25 %) were maternal patients. The overall MRSA infection was 69/152 (45.4 %). Among pediatrics, 31/54 (57.4 %) MRSA cases were female; over 30/54 (56 %) were under 1 year old; and most MRSA infections were obtained from skin 29/54 (53.7 %) compared to other sites of infections (p = 0.024). Among maternal cases, 15/38 (39.5 %) were MRSA, primarily from wound infections 14/15 (93.3 %) compared to other sites of infections (p = 0.39). All MRSA isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid. While 51/60(85 %) were sensitive to Trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole. Conclusion: This investigation found a high prevalence of MRSA among pediatrics and maternal inpatients, indicating a significant burden. All MRSA isolates were susceptible to vancomycin but demonstrated variable sensitivity to other antibiotics. These findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance, infection control strategies, and research into alternative treatment options to combat this major public health threat.
