Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Metabolic Syndrome Patients at the Mbouda Hospitals, West Region of Cameroon

Background Studies have revealed an increased risk of contracting Staphylococcus aureus infections in patients suffering from metabolic diseases. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in metabolic syndrome subjects is less reported in the medical literature. This study aimed at isolating and establishing the distribution of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from faecal samples in metabolic syndrome subjects from Mbouda Hospitals, West Region of Cameroon. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2016 to May 2018 in 114 participants in whom Staphylococcus aureus was detected. Thirty (30) participants were suffering from metabolic syndrome and 84 did not suffer from this pathology. Staphylococcus aureus isolation was based on culture and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the nuc gene. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used for drug susceptibility assay. Molecular detection of the mecA gene by PCR was performed to screen MRSA. Results From the 114 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, the prevalence of the mecA gene confirming MRSA was 79.82%, higher than that of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (20.17%). The frequency of MRSA was higher in participants with metabolic syndrome (80.00%) compared to non-metabolic syndrome (79.76%) participants without significant difference (p=0.977). The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that the amikacin susceptibility profile was significantly different in metabolic and non-metabolic syndrome participants (p=0.037, chi-square=6.59). Regarding metabolic syndrome status, 72.62% of isolates were multidrug-resistant in non-metabolic syndrome participants versus 63.33% in metabolic syndrome participants. Conclusion This study suggests that metabolic syndrome patients harbour MRSA strains in their intestines even as the difference was not statistically significant with non-metabolic syndrome participants. The need for appropriate antimicrobial use to halt or at least limit the spread of resistance is suggested in the care of metabolic syndrome patients and the entire population.