Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): identification and susceptibility testing techniques.
Many traditional techniques are useful for identification of MRSA strains, including techniques for detection of penicillin-resistance, such as the nitrocefin disk. Techniques for assessing methicillin-resistance vary from growth on special media or at a lower temperature, to detection of the mecA gene by manual (latex agglutination) and automated (PCR) methods. Technique development is now geared toward making MRSA identification more rapid. Real-time PCR has sped MRSA detection, but can be costly. Resistance to other drugs is also an issue. Clindamycin resistance may need to be induced, so a special disk diffusion test can be performed. Vancomycin resistance is becoming an issue, so alternative drugs need to be identified. Drugs that are currently available for MRSA infections include: daptomycin, linezolid, quinupristin/dalfopristin, and tigecycline. Drugs that are in the development phase include: ceftobiprole, dalbavancin, oritavancin, and telavancin. These drugs provide a promising arsenal against MRSA.
Reygaert
Wanda
W
Oakland University, School of Health Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science Program, Rochester, Michigan 48309, USA. reygaert@oakland.edu
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D003470:Culture Media; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; C487789:mecA protein, Staphylococcus aureus