[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Dakar].

This study was carried out at the Fann University Hospital Center in Dakar, Senegal between 1994 and 1996. The purpose was to assess the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and to propose alternative treatments. A total of 149 stains of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from a variety of clinical specimens. Sensitivity to various antibiotics was tested by the disc diffusion technique (anti-biogram). Resistance to methicillin was evaluated by the oxacillin disc diffusion technique on Mueller-Hinton agar containing 5% NaCl. The prevalence of methicillin resistance was 66.4%. All strains of Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to vancomycin. Other highly effective antibiotics included fucidic acid (94%), aminoglycosides (91%), cotrimoxazol (89.6%), and norfloxacin (84.5%). Most strains (70.6%) presented a wide profile against macrolides and related groups. The LSa phenotype (resistance to lincosamines and streptogramines) was the predominant resistant phenotype. The results of this study indicate that the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is increasing in Senegal. Since these strains respond well to chloramphenicol and cotrimoxazole, clinicians are advised to use these drugs as an alternative first-line treatment.