title: Retrospective evaluation of a PCR based assay for the direct detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in clinical specimen.
abstract: We evaluated the performance of a PCR-based dipstick assay used in our routine laboratory for the direct detection of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). 2941 clinical swab specimens were evaluated. Sensitivity and specificity were 94.1% and 98.3%, respectively. The PCR assay combines low instrumentation costs and minor hands-on-time with reliable results for MRSA identification.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Limbach, Department of Microbiology, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Eigner
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Veldenzer
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fahr
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holfelder
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies