Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a sample of iraqi patients with dental infection

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been identified as having high rates of carriage in the oral cavity in recent studies. The treatment is widely used among at-risk dental referrals, which can aid in the formation of MRSA in the mouth. The purpose of this study is to reveal how common Staphylococcus is, especially Methicillin- Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Between December 2021 and April 2022, a total of 100 samples were taken from different age groups, sick and non-patient, in different departments of Baghdad city hospitals. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were identified by culture and biochemical tests. Accordingly, the percentage of Staphylococcus aureus infection was found to be 18 (64.3%) in men and 10 (35.7%) in women. In addition, antibiotic (Penicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin, Gentamicin, Azithromycin, Chloramphenicol, levofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Cefepime, Tetracycline, Rifampicin and Clarithromycin) susceptibility profiles of these isolates were also examined. The highest percentage of resistance occurred with Penicillin, Azithromycin, Ofloxacin and Tetracycline. While the percentage of sensitivity was high to Chloramphenicol and Ciprofloxacin, it showed low sensitivity to Penicillin, Azithromycin, Ofloxacin and Tetracycline. When MecA and MecC genes were examined in 28 S. aureus detected by VITEK 2 and PCR, MecA was 57.1% and MecC gene was 35.7%. Detection of MecA and MecC genes is accepted as an indicator of increased antibiotic resistance, lethality and virulence of S. aureus. Due to the increasing potential for MRSA infection, increasing cases of MRSA in the oral cavity is a serious public health problem that should not be ignored, while the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains is an international problem.