Rapid identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from positive blood cultures by real-time fluorescence PCR.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus septicemia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and requires treatment with intravenous glycopeptides. For blood cultures positive for gram-positive cocci, 24 to 48 h is required for the detection of S. aureus bacteremia and the provision of antibiotic susceptibility testing results. We describe a molecular biology-based assay that requires 2 h from the time of initial positivity of blood cultures. The assay correctly detected 96% of the S. aureus isolates including all methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates. Clinical data collected during the study suggest that 28% of patients with S. aureus bacteremia do not receive early and appropriate treatment and that 10% of patients may initially be receiving inappropriate glycopeptide treatment.
Tan
T Y
TY
Department of Microbiology, Public Health Laboratory Service, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom. theanyen.tan@phls.wales.nhs.uk
Corden
S
S
Barnes
R
R
Cookson
B
B
D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D013997:Time Factors
D003470:Culture Media