Rapid identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and patient management

Abstract

There is an urgent public health need for early and reliable detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and carriage to direct antibiotic therapy, to inform patient isolation and decontamination procedures, and to more effectively control cross-infection. Limited advances have been made in culture-based tests, while considerable promise is offered by a new generation of molecular assays based on real-time PCR. Several commercially available PCR tests can rapidly detect MRSA from nasal swabs with high sensitivity and specificity (both 90-100%), although technical issues remain to be resolved and comparative data are lacking. Crucially, evidence must be provided for the clinical efficacy, effectiveness and cost-benefit of implementing these technologies. Furthermore, adaptations in healthcare systems and professional behaviour will be required if full advantage is to be taken of any truly rapid, point-of-care tests that become available. © 2006 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.