Ampicillin Beta-lactamase production among Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolate in Sokoto metropolis

Abstract

Staphylococcal infection has been prevalent in many communities and healthcare facilities in both developed and developing countries for decades. Numerous antibiotics have been introduced to fight Staphylococcal infection. Staphylococci have developed multiple resistance mechanisms making treatment challenging. This study was conducted to detect Ampicillin Beta-lactamase synthesis by Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolate. Twenty (20) samples were taken from the noses of patients at Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) under stringent aseptic conditions and streaked onto Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA). The gram reaction and subsequent biochemical tests were conducted. The antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates to Ampicillin 10ug was tested on Mueller-Hinton Agar using the disc diffusion method. Beta-lactamase production among the isolates was detected using the iodometric tube method. The findings indicate that thirteen (65%) of the isolates were coagulase and catalase positive Staphylococcus aureus and these organisms were found to be resistant to Ampicillin 10ug. The results of Ampicillin Beta-lactamase production indicate that seven (54%) of the thirteen Staphylococcus aureus isolates produce Beta-lactamase. This shows that other mechanisms of resistance take place apart from the enzyme beta-lactamase in the resistant of Staphylococcus aureus to the Ampicillin antibiotic. Further studies should investigate the mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus resistance to Ampicillin beyond Beta-lactamase production.