title: Rapid differentiation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus from blood cultures by use of a direct cefoxitin disk diffusion test.
abstract: A total of 276 blood culture bottles with Staphylococcus aureus were tested by direct cefoxitin disk diffusion testing; 105 (38.1%) had zone sizes of </=17 mm (all 105 had methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA]), 18 (6.5%) had zone sizes that measured 18 mm (17 had MRSA and 1 had methicillin-susceptible S. aureus [MSSA]), 8 (2.9%) had zone sizes that measured 19 mm (6 had MRSA and 2 had MSSA), 8 (2.9%) had zone sizes that measured 20 mm (6 had MRSA and 2 had MSSA), and 137 (49.6%) had zone sizes of >/=21 mm (all 137 had MSSA). Detection of MRSA/MSSA in blood cultures could be reported 10 to 24 h earlier for 88% of cultures with total accuracy.
authors.affiliation: Kaiser Permanente NW, 13705 N.E. Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Sharp
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D002440:Cefoxitin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004058:Diffusion; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002440:Cefoxitin