Used to detect colonization with Staphylococcus aureus or with Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) emerged in the 1980s as a major clinical and epidemiologic problem in hospitals.  Presently, hospitals of all sizes are facing the MRSA problem.  Recommendations for the management or control of the spread of MRSA have been made available.  Nasal carriage of S. aureus or MRSA has been suggested as a risk factor for the development of infections.  Strategies for eliminating the nasal carriage of this species, thus reducing the infection rate, have been proposed.  MRSA is beginning to spread out of the hospitals and into communities.  High-risk groups, including intravenous drug users, persons with a serious underlying disease, persons receiving antimicrobial therapy, and persons recently discharged from the hospital, have accounted for the first reports of MRSA in the community.  However more recently, cases have been reported in which these risk factors are absent.  

Specimens submitted with this request are routinely screened ONLY for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.  Notify laboratory if screen for OTHER staphylococci is required.  

Contact Infection Control for recommendations regarding Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

PCR offers a more sensitive detection method for MRSA.  Refer to MRSA SCREEN by PCR for additional information.

Blood cultures are the recommended culture for toxic shock.

Screening culture for isolation of Staphylococcus aureus.  

Includes screen for Methicillin resistance.

Includes susceptibility testing at an additional charge if requested.