Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus spp. from human specimens submitted to diagnostic laboratories in South Africa, 2012 to 2017

BackgroundAntimicrobial drug resistance is of public health importance due to its potential to reduce treatment options and increase healthcare expenditure. There is, however, a paucity of studies that have examined antimicrobial resistance in countries with poor to moderate income. The present study examined the patterns and predictors of antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus isolates collected from humans at diagnostic laboratories in South Africa between 2012 and 2017. Method and materialsA cross-sectional study design using retrospective data of 404 217 diagnostic laboratory records of staphylococcal isolates collected between 2012 and 2017 was adopted in this study. Isolates were assessed for antimicrobial drug resistance against 24 antimicrobials. Descriptive statistics, and binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the data. Significance was assessed at < 0.05. ResultsThe highest resistance was observed against Cloxacillin (70.3%), while the lowest resistance was against Colistin (0.1%). A significant (p < 0.05) decreasing trend in AMR was observed over the study period, while a significant increasing temporal trend (p < 0.05) was observed for MDR over the same period. A Significant (p < 0.05) association was observed between specimen type, species of organism, and year of isolation with AMR outcome. Significant (p < 0.05) associations were observed between specimen type and season, with MDR. Discussion and recommendationsThe observed high levels of AMR and the increasing temporal trend in MDR is of public health concern. Clinicians should consider these findings when deciding on therapeutic options. Continued monitoring of AMR among Staphylococcus spp. and judicious use of antimicrobials in human medicine should be promoted.