Quality control of direct molecular diagnostics for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Ten samples containing various amounts of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE), and combinations thereof were distributed to 51 laboratories for molecular diagnostics testing. Samples containing 10(2) to 10(3) MRSA cells were frequently reported to be negative. MRSE samples were scored as negative by all commercial tests but by only two out of three in-house tests.
van Belkum
Alex
A
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Unit Research and Development, Erasmus MC, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands. a.vanbelkum@erasmusmc.nl
Niesters
Hubert G M
HG
MacKay
William G
WG
van Leeuwen
Willem B
WB
D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*