Abstract

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are becoming more prevalent throughout the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected community. However, there is scarcity of data about the prevalence of MRSA among HIV positive pediatric patients in the study area.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and types of MRSA among S. aureus isolates of HIV positive pediatric patients in the Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: Pediatric patients who attended the clinic from December 2013 to April 2014 were included in the study. Genotype MRSA VER 3.0 was used for characterization of S. aureus isolates. This detected methicillin-resistance-mediating mecA and mecC genes and the bicomponent cytotoxic virulence factor Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results: Among 126 S. aureus isolates, 37.3% and 11.9% were mecA and Panton–Valentine leukocidin gene positive, respectively. Patients of FHRH (P = 0.04) and DRH (P = 0.02) have statistical significance for mecA gene. Panton–Valentine leukocidin gene positive strains were about 97% less likelihood to be mecA gene positive (P = 0.001).

Conclusion: A high prevalence of pathogenic MRSA strains among HIV positive pediatric patients was observed. Most of the MRSA types were hospital acquired. Hence, strict hygienic approaches by healthcare workers in hospitals should be implemented. In addition, screening and treatment of MRSA for HIV positive pediatric patients is recommended. [ Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2018;32(3):00-000]