Detection of Genes Encoding Microbial Surface Component Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Pyoderma Patients

Pyoderma is a common skin infection predominantly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. In addition to methicillin resistance, this pathogen is resistant to many other antibiotics, which ultimately limits the available treatment options. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the antibiotic-resistance pattern, to detect the mecA gene and the genes encoding microbial surface component recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs) in S. aureus isolates. A total of 116 strains were isolated from patients suffering with pyoderma. Disk diffusion assay was opted to perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates. Out of the isolates tested, 23–42.2% strains appeared susceptible to benzylpenicillin, cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin. While linezolid was found to be the most effective anti-staphylococcal drug, followed by rifampin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, gentamicin and ceftaroline. Out of 116 isolates, 73 (62.93%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in antibiotic resistance patterns between MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) were found. A significant association of resistance to ceftaroline, rifampin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol was found in MRSA. However, no significant difference was observed between MRSA and MSSA for resistance against gentamicin, erythromycin or linezolid. All cefoxitin-resistant S. aureus, nonetheless, were positive for the mecA gene. femA was found in all the MRSA isolates. Among other virulence markers, bbp and fnbB were found in all the isolates, while can (98.3%), clfA and fnbA (99.1%) were present predominately in MRSA. Thus, this study offers an understanding of antibiotic resistance MSCRAMMs, mecA, and femA gene patterns in locally isolated strains of S. aureus.