title: Multiplex real-time PCR assay for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains suitable in regions of high MRSA endemicity.
abstract: A multiplex real-time PCR assay that simultaneously detects the mecA, staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCCmec)-open reading frame X (orfX) junction, and staphylococcal 16S rRNA genes was developed and evaluated using 444 staphylococcal strains. We demonstrated that this assay resulted in fewer false-positive results than a single-locus real-time PCR assay that amplified the SCCmec-orfX junction. This assay would be useful in a clinical laboratory in a region of high endemicity for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Gangneung, South Korea. jukim@gnah.co.kr
authors.forename: Jeong-Uk
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Choong-Hwan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Hae-Kyong
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Ho-Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mi-Na
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; C487789:mecA protein, Staphylococcus aureus