Surveillance cultures for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: diagnostic yield of anatomic sites and comparison of provider- and patient-collected samples

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2009 Apr;30(4):380-2. doi: 10.1086/596045.

Abstract

We studied provider- and patient-collected samples from multiple anatomic sites to determine the yield for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Sampling of multiple sites was required to achieve a sensitivity of more than 90% for MRSA colonization. Groin and perineum samples yielded positive results significantly more often for community-onset MRSA than for hospital-onset MRSA. Agreement rates between provider- and patient-collected swab specimens were excellent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Axilla / microbiology
  • Child
  • Community-Acquired Infections* / diagnosis
  • Community-Acquired Infections* / epidemiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections* / microbiology
  • Cross Infection* / diagnosis
  • Cross Infection* / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection* / microbiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Culture Media
  • Female
  • Groin / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methicillin Resistance*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nose / microbiology
  • Pharynx / microbiology
  • Population Surveillance / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Specimen Handling / methods*
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / diagnosis
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Culture Media