Abstract

A study to investigate the susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus to conventional antibiotics being frequently prescribed in Ile-Ife, South Western Nigeria was carried out. One hundred and seven samples from various clinical samples were collected from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The isolates of S. aureuswere characterized and identified using standard microbiological techniques. The isolates harvested were subjected to in-vitro antibiotic susceptibility tests using the disc diffusion method and beta-lactamase test was carried out using starch paper hydrolysis. One hundred and five isolates of S. aureus were harvested.  The in vitro susceptibility of the bacterial isolates to antibiotics indicated 75.3-92.5% sensitivity to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin. However, they were 65% producers of beta lactamase while 45-72% resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole. Out of the 56 isolates tested with methicillin, 28 (50%) were resistant while 18 (32.1%) were sensitive. It was observed 70% of the tested isolates were beta lactamase producers. Multiple resistance was observed to 10 frequently prescribed antibiotics in the area. This suggests possible abuse of these drugs, poor hospital attendance and the need for better enlightenment campaign against the use of drug without prescription.

Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, ciprofloxacin, multiple antibiotic resistant index, beta lactamase test.