Methicillin resistant staphylococci isolated in clinical samples: a 3-year retrospective study analysis

AIM: To determine the prevalence and describe the antimicrobial resistance patterns of circulating methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) isolated from clinical specimens during a 3-year period in Yaoundé, Cameroon. MATERIALS & METHODS: From January 2017 to December 2019, 1683 clinical samples were plated onto Mannitol salt agar. Bacterial identification was performed followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing. Data were analyzed using R program. RESULTS: Staphylococci were identified in 90 (5.35%) of the 1683 clinical samples. Among these, 83.33% were MRS with 78.67% being methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The prevalence of MRS infection increased significantly with age. CONCLUSION: The study offers a good baseline for surveillance intervention to contain antimicrobial resistance and highlights the need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship and infection, prevention and control programs in the country.