Cefoxitin Resistant Profile of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from the Environment of a Tertiary Health Institution

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus has a notable ability to acquire resistance to methicillin and other antibiotics, and represents a growing public health challenge globally. This study was aimed at evaluating the cefoxitin resistance profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the University of Calabar Medical Centre, Calabar. A total of 50 swab specimens were collected from the hospital environment of the University of Calabar Medical Centre and analyzed following standard microbiological techniques. Isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using commonly used antibiotics. A total of 20 (40%) S. aureus strains were isolated and exhibited 80% resistance against cefoxitin, 75% against ampiclox and 65% against amoxyl, confirming their ability to secrete β -lactamases against β- lactam agents.  Furthermore, S. aureus strains also exhibited varying degrees of resistance to non β-lactam antibiotics including streptomycin (50%) and ciprofloxacin (60%). Considerable susceptibility was however observed with other antibiotics including levofloxacin (75%) and gentamycin (70%), suggesting that these drugs could be employed as combination therapy in the management of CRSA- related infections. This study revealed a high level of resistance of S. aureus to cefoxitin. In addition, isolates also exhibited resistance to routinely used antibiotics and makes need for urgent review of antibiotics, hospital sanitation and disinfection policies.