Co-existance of Aminoglycoside Modifying Enzymes (AMEs) genes and mec-A gene among nosocomial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in Surgical Intensive Care Units in Kasr Al-Ainy hospitals, Cairo University.

In Staphylococcus aureus aminoglycosides and methicillin resistances are closely associated. We aimed at detection of the prevalence of methicillin and aminoglycosides resistances in S. aureus isolated from surgical ICUs in Kasr Alainy hospitals,  the association of mecA gene and aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs) genes among these isolates and the accuracy of cefoxitin disc diffusion method in relation to PCR. 150 clinical samples were collected. Cultivation and  identification of isolates were done by the standard  microbiological techniques. All S. aureus isolates were tested for methicillin and aminoglycosides  resistance by disc diffusion  method and for presence  of mec A gene and AMEs genes by multiplex-PCR. 48 S. aureus were isolated (32%) with  a high prevalence of mec A gene  (89.58%) and AME  genes (60.42%) and co-existance of mec A gene and one or more of  AME genes in 60%.   mec A gene was detected  in 87% of cefoxitin resistant  isolates  and  aac(6')-Ie+aph(2'') was the most predominant AME genes.Â