Comparing Disk Diffusion and E-Test Methods in Reviewing Methicillin-Resistance in Staphylococcus Epidermidis Isolated from Clinical Speci-mens

Abstract

Background: In recent years, antibiotic resistance of staphylococcus epidermidis toward methicillin has been a significant increase. Therefore, reviewing methicillin-resistance is necessary and crucial in determining an appropriate therapeutic pattern. This study aimed to compare disk fusion and E-test methods in reviewing methicillin-resistance in staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from clinical specimens. Methods: Determination of methicillin resistance was conducted through disk fusion and E-test methods on 146 samples of staphylococcus epidermidis and these two methods were compared to each other. Findings: 146 samples of staphylococcus epidermidis were evaluated through disk fusion and E-test methods in terms of methicillin resistance in which the resistant rate of E-test was 70.54 percent and disk fusion was 61.64 percent and their sensitivity and specificity in E-test were 95.3 and 94.7 percent respectively and in disk fusion were 86.5 and 80.9 percent respectively. Conclusion: Assessing the sensitivity and specificity in E-test and disk fusion methods showed that E-test had a higher sensitivity and specificity and also is a faster, more accurate and more reliable method to determine methicillin resistance in staphylococcus epidermidis.

Keywords

• Staphylococcus epidermidis
• Methicillin
• E-test
• Disk fusion