investigating the antibiotic resistance pattern of mrsa in cancer patients

Today, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa) has emerged as a significant health concern among long-term hospitalized patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems such as cancer patients. this is primarily due to mrsa’s ability to resist antimicrobial agents and drugs. the objective of this study is to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern of mrsa in cancer patients admitted to hospitals in the southwest region of iran. the samples collected from these patients were cultured on blood agar and emb medium. subsequently, the positive samples containing s. aureus were identified using a phenotypic method. the cefoxitin antibiogram was then applied to isolate mrsa. additionally, the isolates were tested for simultaneous drug resistance against 12 different antibiotics. in order to detect the presence of the mec gene, the molecular method of pcr technique and electrophoresis of the obtained products were s. aureuss. aureusemployed. out of the 41 s. aureus samples that were identified, 33 isolates were found to be methicillin-resistant s. aureus. among these 33 mrsa isolates, the mec gene was present and they exhibited simultaneous drug resistance. cancer patients, who frequently have catheters and receive drugs and blood products, are at an increased risk of being contaminated with this bacteria due to its presence on their skin and the hands of healthcare providers. the indiscriminate use of drugs and the subsequent rise in drug resistance can contribute to prolonged hospitalization and even death among these individuals. considering that the ahvaz hospitals, particularly bagai hospital, serve as major treatment centers for incurable and cancer patients in southwestern iran, it is of great value and importance to investigate the resistance pattern in patients undergoing chemotherapy and post-transplantation.