title: Real-time PCR can rapidly detect methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus directly from positive blood culture bottles.
abstract: We developed, validated, and implemented real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of the femA gene for Staphylococcus aureus and the mecA gene for methicillin resistance directly from BACTEC (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, MD) blood culture bottles showing gram-positive cocci in clusters. For the 332 positive blood cultures tested, the assay had 100% sensitivity and specificity for identifying methicillin-susceptible (n=28) and methicillin-resistant (n=28) S aureus, and overall was 98% sensitive and 94% specific, with 3 uninterpretable test results when identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci was included. PCR detection yields rapid (2-3 hours) results and accurate identification of S aureus directly from signal-positive blood culture bottle samples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Paule
authors.forename: Anna C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pasquariello
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kaul
authors.forename: Lance R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*