Which anatomical sites should be sampled for screening of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage by culture or by rapid PCR test?

• Published in: Clinical microbiology and infection Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. E31 - E33
• Main Authors: Senn, L., Basset, P., Nahimana, I., Zanetti, G., Blanc, D.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2012; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Bacteriological Techniques - methods; Carrier State - diagnosis; Carrier State - microbiology; Culture; Drug resistance; extranasal screening; Groin - microbiology; Humans; Mass Screening - methods; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - methods; MRSA screening; Nose; Nose - microbiology; Pharynx; Pharynx - microbiology; Polymerase chain reaction; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; rapid test; Sampling; screening sites; Sensitivity and Specificity; Specimen Handling - methods; Staphylococcal Infections - diagnosis; Staphylococcal Infections - microbiology; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus infections; screening sites; MRSA screening; rapid test; Culture; extranasal screening
• ISSN: 1198-743X; 1469-0691
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03724.x

The nose is the anatomical site usually recommended for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening. Other sites are also recommended, but are more controversial. We showed that the sensitivities of MRSA detection from nasal swabs alone were 48% and 62% by culture or by rapid PCR test, respectively. These percentages increased to 79% and 92% with the addition of groin swabs, and to 96% and 99% with the addition of groin and throat swabs. In conclusion, neither by culture nor by rapid PCR test is nose sampling alone sufficient for MRSA detection. Additional anatomical sites should include at least the groin and throat.