USE OF COMMERCIAL PARTICLE AGGLUTINATION SYSTEMS FOR THE RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF METHICILLIN-SUSCEPTIBLE AND METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS

The performance of a recently introduced Staphylococcus aureus identif ication system (Slider Staph-Kit) was compared with that of currently available systems (Immune Scan Staphlatex, Staphyloslide, Staphaurex a nd SeroSTAT II) for the identification of methicillin-resistant Staphy lococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aure us. The new system, which detects a capsular antigen common in MRSA, p erformed with equal or greater sensitivity than the other systems. Non e of the commercial systems was adversely affected by the methicillin susceptibility of the staphylococci when isolates were recovered from non-selective media. The greatest advantage of the anti-capsular monoc lonal reagent was its improved performance on isolates recovered from selective media.