STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ISOLATES AND METHICILLIN RESISTANCE AT A MILITARY HOSPITAL IN MARRAKECH, MOROCCO (2017-2025)

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important antimicrobial-resistance concern. This study describes the distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus clinical isolates at Avicenne Military Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco.
Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis covered 1 July 2017 to 31 October 2025. Non-duplicate clinical S. aureus isolates from routine microbiology samples were identified using conventional methods and BD PHOENIX M50 and/or API STAPH systems. Susceptibility testing followed the laboratory’s contemporaneous CA-SFM/EUCAST procedures; methicillin resistance was screened using a 30-µg cefoxitin disk.
Results: Among 8,787 bacterial isolates, 727 (8.27%) were identified as S. aureus. Male patients accounted for 558/727 isolates (76.7%). Surgical wards contributed 256 (35.2%) isolates and intensive care 222 (30.5%). The leading specimens were pus or skin/soft-tissue samples (265; 36.4%) and respiratory samples (177; 24.3%). MRSA accounted for 92/727 isolates (12.7%). Reported resistance proportions among MRSA isolates were 50% to fusidic acid, 49% to kanamycin, 48% to erythromycin, and 45% to tetracycline. The source report described 100% susceptibility to vancomycin and 99% to linezolid, although antibiotic-specific denominators were unavailable.
Conclusion: S. aureus was frequently recovered from surgical and critical-care specimens in this hospital-based collection. MRSA accounted for approximately one in eight S. aureus isolates and exhibited substantial co-resistance to several non-beta-lactam agents. Consistent specimen-based surveillance and locally informed antimicrobial stewardship are warranted.