Evaluation of MRSA-Screen, a simple anti-PBP 2a slide latex agglutination kit, for rapid detection of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.
The MRSA-Screen test (Denka Seiken Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), consisting of a slide latex agglutination kit that detects PBP 2a with a monoclonal antibody, was blindly compared to the oxacillin disk diffusion test, the oxacillin-salt agar screen, and PCR of the mecA gene for the detection of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 120 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and 80 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates, defined by the absence or presence of the mecA gene, respectively, were tested. The MRSA-Screen test, the oxacillin disk diffusion test, and the oxacillin-salt agar screening test showed sensitivities of 100, 61.3, and 82.5% and specificities of 99.2, 96.7, and 98.3%, respectively. We conclude that the MRSA-Screen is a very accurate, reliable, and fast test (15 min) for differentiation of MRSA from MSSA colonies on agar plates.
Cavassini
M
M
Institut de Microbiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Wenger
A
A
Jaton
K
K
Blanc
D S
DS
Bille
J
J
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D010068:Oxacillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase; D010068:Oxacillin