Bacterial Profile and Antimicrobial Resistance in Wound Infections in Misurata, Libya: Insights into MRSA and Multidrug Resistance

Adel Ashour; Nuri  Eltajouri; Mohanned  Alwashaish

doi:10.36602/jsba.2026.21.114

Authors

Adel O. Ashour Faculty of Science, Department of Microbiology, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya
Nuri M. Eltajouri Faculty of Science, Department of Botany, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya
Mohanned M. Alwashaish Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36602/jsba.2026.21.114

Keywords:

Wound infections, MRSA, antimicrobial resistance, Gram-negative bacteria, multidrug resistance, MAR index

Abstract

Wound infections represent a significant clinical challenge due to their polymicrobial nature and the increasing burden of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to investigate the bacterial profile, prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and antibiotic resistance patterns among wound infections in Misurata, Libya. A total of 120 wound samples were collected, of which 92 (76.7%) yielded bacterial growth. Gram-negative bacteria predominated (58.7%), while Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 41.3% of isolates. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism (41.3%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.3%) and Escherichia coli (15.2%). Among S. , MRSA accounted for 68.4%, indicating a high prevalence of methicillin resistance. MRSA isolates exhibited significantly higher resistance to multiple antibiotics compared to MSSA, particularly erythromycin (73.1%), ciprofloxacin (65.4%), and clindamycin (53.8%), while no resistance to vancomycin or linezolid was detected. Gram-negative isolates demonstrated high resistance to commonly used antibiotics, especially ampicillin (up to 85.7%), amoxicillin–clavulanate (up to 66.7%), and third-generation cephalosporins, whereas carbapenems showed relatively lower resistance rates. Multidrug resistance was observed in 53.3% of isolates, with 15.2% classified as extensively drug-resistant (XDR). The mean MAR index was highest among MRSA isolates (0.54 ± 0.12), followed by Gram-negative isolates (0.36 ± 0.13). These findings highlight a substantial burden of antimicrobial resistance in wound infections and emphasize the need for continuous surveillance, rational antibiotic use, and effective infection control strategies.

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