Evaluation of MRSA-screen, a simple anti-PBP 2a slide latex agglutination kit, for rapid detection of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

The MRSA-Screen test (Denka Seiken Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), consisting of a slide latex agglutination kit that detects PBP 2a with a monoclonal antib ody, was blindly compared to the osacillin disk diffusion test, the oxacill in-salt agar screen, and PCR of the mecA gene for the detection of methicil lin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, A total of 120 methicillin-suscept ible S. aureus (MSSA) and 80 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolate s, defined by the absence or presence of the mecA gene, respectively, were tested. The MRSA-Screen test, the oxacillin disk diffusion test, and the ox acillin-salt agar screening test showed sensitivities of 100, 61.3, and 82. 5% and specificities of 99.2, 96.7, and 98.3%, respectively, We conclude th at the MRSA-Screen is a very accurate, reliable, and fast test (15 min) for differentiation of MRSA from MSSA colonies on agar plates.