COMPARATIVE STUDY OF E-STRIP AND VITEK 2 FOR VANCOMYCIN MIC FOR STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AT TERTIARY CARE CENTER

Abstract

PURPOSE: Comparative Study done for Vancomycin susceptibility in Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in two methods Vitek-2 and E-strip test. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Vancomycin susceptibility testing was performed on these Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates by two methods viz. Vitek 2 & E- strip Test. RESULT: A total of 10680 various specimens were received and processed in laboratory. 210 samples were S. aureus amongst which 76 were MRSAs. Pus was the predominant sample followed by endotracheal secretions, blood, and sputum. All the strains of MRSA found susceptible to vancomycin (MIC≤ 2µg/ ml) by both the methods. Maximum specimens by both the methods had MICs of 1.0 µg/ ml. CONCLUSION: In the present study results of Vitek and E-strip were almost comparable. In the advanced era of automation and computerized technology with manpower compromised labs, Vitek could be a better option for vancomycin MIC.