STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus is the most common pathogens and an important nosocomial pathogen. This bacterium has ability to acquire resistance to different antibiotic classes. Erythromycin and clindamycin have been used for treating skin and soft-tissue infections caused by these bacteria. Although, expression of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance (MLSB) can limit the effect of these drugs.
This study aimed to detect the presence of genes encoding resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins (MLSB) among clinical Staphylococcus strains.
A total of 100 Staphylococcus isolates from clinical specimens (blood, sputum and wound) were collected. All these isolates were identified biochemically. They were tested against different antibiotics and double-disk diffusion method and genes were detected using PCR.
Results show that 63 isolates were genotypically tested by using real time PCR for detection of Erm (B) and Erm (C) genes. (EryS ClinS) was detected in 50 (50%) of the isolates followed by constitutive phenotype of MLSB resistance (EryR ClinR) 29 (29%) and inducible MLSB resistance (EryRClinInd) 17 (17%), while the MSB phenotype (EryR ClinS) 4(4%) was the least frequent. 51(80.9) isolates have Erm (B) gene positive 33(52.3) strains have Erm (C) gene positive.
This study investigate that the double disk diffusion test is a suitable test for detection of staphylococci which are resistant to clindamycin and should be used as fast detection and help in treatment of patients. And thus, the screening procedure using Real time PCR is sensitive in detection of Erm genes which are responsible for inducible resistance to clindamycin.