Rapid MRSA Detection by a Latex Kit

Rita Chediac-Tannoury; George F Araj

doi:10.29074/ascls.16.4.198

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Rita Chediac-Tannoury, MD
1. is a clinical pathology resident at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
George F Araj, PhD ABMM FAAM⇑
1. is Professor and Director of Clinical Microbiology at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

Address for correspondence: George F Araj PhD ABMM FAAM, Professor and Director of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, PO Box 113-6044, Beirut, Lebanon. (961)-1-744 464 (fax). garaj{at}aub.edu.lb

Extract

Methicillin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are implicated in serious infections and nosocomial outbreaks, and show resistance to a wide range of antibiotics, thus limiting the treatment options. Therefore, rapid detection is clinically crucial for both treatment and infection control measures. This study assessed the performance of a rapid latex agglutination kit marketed to detect MRSA clinical isolates (MRSA-Screen test Denka Seiken Co Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) based on detecting a specific penicillin binding protein 2a (PBP2a) in comparison to the NCCLS oxacillin salt agar screen plate, the 1 μg oxacillin disk diffusion test, and the oxacillin MIC by E-test. Testing was carried out on 133 isolates consisting of 99 MRSA and 34 methicillin sensitive strains of S. aureus (MSSA). Concordant results were observed between the latex kit and all the other tests for the 99 MRSA isolates. Only 1 of the 34 MSSA isolates gave a positive agglutination reaction in the latex kit. The kit sensitivity and specificity were determined to be 100% and 97%, respectively. This reliable performance indicates that the MRSA-Screen latex test is very useful test for the rapid detection of MRSA isolates in the clinical microbiology laboratory.

The increasing global encounter of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains is causing a wide spectrum of hospital- and community-acquired infections. Moreover, the limitation incurred upon treatment options has been inflicting a substantial toll of morbidity and mortality.¹ Thus, rapid detection of MRSA strains is essential for proper treatment and specific infection control measures.² The conventional techniques of…

ABBREVIATIONS: CNS = coagulase negative staphylococci; MIC = minimum inhibitory concentration; MRSA = methicillin resistant S. aureus; MSSA = methicillin susceptible S. aureus.