[Evaluation of MRSA identification with latex agglutination kit for the detection of penicillin-binding protein 2]

MRSA is one of the major nosocomial pathogens, and methicillin-resistance is associated with acquisition of the mecA gene coding for the penicillin-binding protein 2' (PBP2'). MRSA-screen test (Denka Seiken Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) is a slide latex agglutination kit which can detect PBP2' within 15 min. MRSA-screen test was compared with PCR for detection of the mecA gene in order to detect MRSA. S. aureus strains isolated from April to October in 1999 in Gifu Red Cross Hospital were identified as 25 MRSA and 19 MSSA by susceptibility testing to oxacillin by the agar dilution method according to the recommendation of the National Comittee for the Clinical Laboratory Standards. The MRSA screen test and PCR for the mecA gene showed sensitivites of 92.0 and 96.0% and specificities of 89.5 and 94.7%, respectively. It is considered that MRSA-screen is a rapid and reliable test for discrimination of MRSA from MSSA colonies on agar plates.