title: Comparison of automated processing of flocked swabs with manual processing of fiber swabs for detection of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: The sensitivity of automated culture of Staphylococcus aureus from flocked swabs versus that of manual culture of fiber swabs was prospectively compared using nasal swabs from 867 patients. Automated culture from flocked swabs significantly increased the detection rate, by 13.1% for direct culture and 10.2% for enrichment culture.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Department, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Derriford, Plymouth, United Kingdom. gillian.jones8@nhs.net
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jenks
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation / Q000379:methods*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*