Evaluation of resistance to fusidic acid in Staphylococci isolates

Objectives: Staphylococci were most prominent factors that responsible for skin, soft tissue and foreign body infections. Gaining resistance to methicillin and various antibiotics in these microorganisms over the years increased morbidity and mortality, especially in hospitalized patients. In such situations number of preferred antibiotics was limited. The aim of this study was to investigate in-vitro susceptibility of fusidic acid to clinic isolates of Staphylococci. Materials and methods: The seventy-seven coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) and 37 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from various clinical specimens were included in this study. Staphylococci were identified with gram stain, catalase and coagulase tests. According to “Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)” criteria, antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: The seventy-four percent of the isolated CNS were defined as methicillin sensitive-CNS (MS-CNS), 26% of the isolated CNS were defined as methicillin resistant (MR-CNS). While 40% of MR-CNS was resistant to fusidic acid, fusidic acid resistance was found to be 24% in MS-CNS. In methicilline-sensitive S.aureus strains fusidic acid resistance rate were detected as 13%; and in methicillin-resistant S.aureus strains the rate were 14%. Conclusion: Susceptibility of fusidic acid in Staphylococcus aureus strains were found higher than coagulase-negative staphylococci. Fusidic acid remains as an alternative in the treatment of infections due to staphylococci. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2011;1(1):22-25.