Multidrug Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains Associated with High Vaginal Swab Samples in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (especially Staphylococcus aureus vaginosis), is a leading cause of vaginal infection globally.
Whereas antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus have been linked to high vaginal swab (HVS) samples in Nigeria, there is
dearth of information on PCR confirmed strains of multiple drug resistant (MDR) S. aureus associated with HVS in the country.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiogram of PCR confirmed strains of Staphylococcus
aureus associated with HVS samples from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty two bacterial isolates from HVS samples were collected from the Microbiology
laboratory of UBTH, Benin City. The isolates were identified using cultural/biochemical techniques; and confirmed by PCR
technique. Antibiotic susceptibility profile of PCR confirmed isolates against 19 antibiotics was conducted and interpreted
according to the method of Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute.

Results: Cultural/biochemical analysis revealed that 67 out of 132 HVS isolates (50.8%) were Staphylococcus species; 11 (16.42%) of these (67), were confirmed as strains of Staphylococcus aureus by PCR. The isolates were resistant to ampicillin (100%), ceftazidime (67%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (50%) and amoxicillin (50%). Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) was observed in combinations of 2 to 10 antibiotics.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that although MDR Staphylococcus aureus was prevalent amongst women showing
symptoms for vaginosis in UBTH, the need to confirm isolates’ identity using alternative techniques like PCR may be critical to
effective management, treatment, and control of MDR Staphylococcus aureus vaginosis in women.