title: Evaluation of real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on environmental surfaces.
abstract: We compared real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with in vitro culture for detecting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in samples from environmental surfaces. The sensitivity of RT-PCR, compared with culture, was 92.5%, and the specificity was 51.4%. Because of poor specificity, the RT-PCR kit tested is not suitable for the detection of MRSA on hospital surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Bioquell (UK) Ltd., Hampshire, UK. jon.otter@bioquell.com
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Otter
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Havill
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Boyce
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000382:microbiology*; D050456:Fomites / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification