Monitoring and Investigation of Resistance Genes gyrA, parC, blaZ, ermA, ermB, and ermC in Staphylococcus saprophyticus Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections in Mazandaran Province, Iran

Background: Bacterial urinary tract infections are observed in all age groups due to the development of antibiotic-resistant species. This study aimed to investigate resistance genes gyrase subunit A (gyrA), topoisomerase IV (parC) subunit gene, beta lactamase (blaZ), erythromycin ribosome methylase (ermC), ermB, and ermA in Staphylococcus saporophyticus isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Materials Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 3280 clinical samples were collected from patients with UTIs in Mazandaran Province from April to December 2022. Isolates were identified by biochemical tests. Microbial sensitivity tests were performed by disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to check the presence of resistance genes. Findings: Out of a total of 3280 clinical samples collected, 2088 samples were detected by biochemical tests at the genus level. Escherichia coli (55.22%) and staphylococci (21.59%) were the most frequent bacterial isolates. S. saprophyticus was identified in 52 (2.49%) samples. The frequency of gyrA and parC genes in S. saprophyticus isolates was 23 and 1.92%, respectively. The blaZ gene was observed in none of the samples. The prevalence of ermA, ermB, and ermC genes was 21, 1.92, and 26%, respectively.  The antibiogram test showed that the highest frequency of resistance to erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin was 70, 36, and 20%, respectively. Conclusion: According to the present study findings, rapid detection of these strains in hospitals leads to more effective control of the spread of these strains.