Molecular Test Simultaneously Identifies Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA

A molecular test simultaneously identifies Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from nasal specimens.

The GeneOhm StaphSR assay is a simple test that provides results within two hours directly from nasal swabs. The assay is easy to perform and requires less technologist time than traditional microbiology algorithms, which can take two days to generate results.

Identifying patients colonized with MRSA or SA bacteria in advance of surgery helps ensure patients have an opportunity to be decolonized and receive the appropriate prophylactic antibiotics prior to surgery. This reduces the risk of a potentially deadly surgical site infection (SSI). A recent study revealed that patients acquiring SSIs after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery had a one-year mortality rate of 22%.

The most frequent organism cultured in cardiac SSIs is Staphylococcus sp, and colonization is considered the major factor in wound contamination. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons issued guidelines acknowledging the benefits of rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening tests for SA colonization prior to surgery. For patients positive for Staphylococcus sp, decolonization with the antibiotic ointment mupirocin is recommended as a routine measure. In addition, a patient's colonization status is an important indicator in determining the appropriate prophylactic antibiotic to administer one hour prior to surgery.

BD Diagnostics, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson, and Company; San Diego, CA, USA) has announced that it has made a 510(k) submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Rockville, MD, USA), for use of the BD GeneOhm StaphSR assay for nasal specimens.


Related Links:
Becton, Dickinson, and Company
U.S. Food and Drug Administration