Background: Burn wounds provide a proper position for bacterial growth and are more persistent richer sources of infection than other wounds. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most commonly isolated pathogens in burn wound infections. Methods: One hundred S. aureus isolates were collected from burn wound infections. Identification of S. aureus was performed by phenotypic and molecular methods. The Kirby-Bauer and agar dilution methods were performed for determination of antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out for detection of mecA, pvl, nuc, arcA and speG genes. Results: Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was detected in 21 % of isolates by mecA gene PCR and phenotypic methods. All isolates were negative for arcA and speG genes. All of isolates were susceptible to linezolid, vancomycin and mupirocin. The resistance rate to erythromycin and clindamycin were high. Conclusion: Our findings showed that S. aureus isolates have high-level resistance to antimicrobial agents and that appropriate antibiotic therapy, based on the antibiotic susceptibility pattern, is essential to ensure a good result. Thus, strict consideration for S. aureus infection and proper usage of antibiotic policy are recommended in decreasing the incidence and occurrence of multidrug resistant S. aureus infections in burn wound infections in this hospital.
