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Rapid Methods for Detection of MRSA in Clinical Specimens

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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2069))

Abstract

Traditional antimicrobial susceptibility test methods for detection of S. aureus resistant to oxacillin (MRSA) such as disk diffusion, broth microdilution, and oxacillin screen plate require 18–24 h of incubation after having the organism growing in pure culture. Rapid and accurate identification of MRSA isolates is essential not only for patient care, but also for effective infection control programs to limit the spread of MRSA. In the last few years, several commercial rapid tests for detection of MRSA directly from nasal and wound swabs, as well as from positive blood cultures, have been developed for use in clinical laboratories. Chromogenic agar plates and real-time PCR and other molecular tests are gaining popularity as MRSA screening tests because they have the advantage of a lower turnaround time than that of traditional culture and susceptibility testing and they are capable of detecting MRSA directly from nasal and wound swabs, allowing rapid identification of colonized or infected patients. In addition, molecular methods able to detect and differentiate S. aureus and MRSA (SA/MRSA) directly from blood cultures are becoming a useful tool for rapid detection of bacteremia caused by MSSA and MRSA. This review focuses on the procedures for performing testing using rapid methods currently available for detection of MRSA directly from clinical specimens.

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Acknowledgment

I thank Carlos A. Fasola for helpful editorial suggestions to the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Elizabeth L. Palavecino

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  1. Elizabeth L. Palavecino
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Correspondence to Elizabeth L. Palavecino .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA

    Yinduo Ji

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Palavecino, E.L. (2020). Rapid Methods for Detection of MRSA in Clinical Specimens. In: Ji, Y. (eds) Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2069. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9849-4_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9849-4_2

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

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