title: Comparison of PCR assay to culture for surveillance detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci.
abstract: Direct multiplex PCR assay using vanA and vanB primers, which provides rapid results, was more sensitive than culture on selective media for samples collected by rectal swab (20 of 46 versus 8 of 46; P < 0.001) or perianal swab (17 of 58 versus 12 of 58; P = 0.059) for the detection of gastrointestinal colonization by vancomycin-resistant enterococci.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. spaule@enh.org
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Paule
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Trick
authors.forename: Fred C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Tenover
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lankford
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stosor
authors.forename: Ralph L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Cordell
authors.forename: Lance R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D019729:Carbon-Oxygen Ligases / Q000235:genetics; D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C071437:VanA ligase, Bacteria; C079913:VanB protein, Enterococcus; D019729:Carbon-Oxygen Ligases