Detection of mecA gene by latex agglutination and its molecular analysis by PCR in methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a devastating question that is threatening the health globally. The extensive and indiscriminative use of antibiotics has evolved a notorious resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. This resistance developed through possession of mecA gene, which codes for modified penicillin binding protein (PBP2a) and the emergent strain being labeled “methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus”. Conventional phenotypic techniques for detection of MRSA rely on standardization of cultural characteristics. The drawbacks of diagnostic error to report MRSA include: poor prognosis, expensive treatment, dissemination of multi-drug resistant strains and even treatment failure. Latex agglutination method can be adopted as a more accurate and quick strategy for rapid detection of methicillin resistance. Objectives: To compare detection of mecA gene in methicillin resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus by latex agglutination and PCR; by assessing the sensitivity and specificity of both methods. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional study. Setting: Pathology Department, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore. Period: From January 2015 to December 2015; according to standard operating procedures at Microbiology laboratory. Material & Methods: A total 713 consecutive, non-duplicate isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were processed. Methicillin resistance was determined using cefoxitin (30mg) by Kirby-Bauer method using CLSI guideline (2016), latex agglutination method; and PCR for mecA gene. Results: The results showed that out of 713 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 92 (12.90%) isolates were resistant to cefoxitin and were labelled as MRSA. majority MRSA isolates recovered from pus (44.57%) and wound swab (20.65%), followed by blood (13.04%), fluid (8.70%), CSF (4.35%), CVP (3.26%), HVS (3.26%) and tracheal secretion (2.17%). By latex agglutination method, 87 (94.50%) were positive for PBP2a; while on PCR mecA gene was detected only in 82 (89.10%) MRSA isolates. When assessed with PCR (gold standard) the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of latex agglutination was 100% and 94.57%, respectively. Conclusion: Latex agglutination test can be employed as rapid and reliable diagnostic technique in MRSA isolates for mecA gene detection, where resources for molecular methods are inadequate. This can effectually lessen the misdiagnosis of resistant strains, and over/ ill-use of antibiotics.