Chromogenic Medium Rapidly Identifies MRSA Carriers

A chromogenic medium used for the rapid screening of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can identify MRSA carriers in 24 hours.

The MRSASelect test is performed on nasal specimens from patients and healthcare workers to screen for MRSA colonization. Chromogenic media are used to grow bacteria in the laboratory and identify them based on a color reaction. With this media MRSA can be differentiated from other microorganisms. Bio-Rad (Hercules, CA, USA) has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for marketing its MRSASelect test in the United States. The company is a multinational manufacturer and distributor of clinical diagnostic and life science research products.

"The rapid detection time of MRSASelect provides hospitals with the ability to quickly implement appropriate infection control,” said Norman Schwartz, Bio-Rad president and CEO. "This is key to minimizing the spread of this pathogen.”

MRSA is an infectious bacterial strain that is resistant to antibiotics such as penicillin and methicillin. According to a summary of data published in the October 17, 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, MRSA is estimated to have caused more than 94,000 life-threatening infections and approximately 19,000 deaths in the United States in 2005, most of them connected with healthcare settings. Several states, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, are beginning to mandate screening for MRSA in hospitals. Individuals can become carriers of MRSA by physical contact with (or inhalation of) the organism. Transmission can be prevented by quickly identifying and isolating carriers.


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