Author/Editor		Grmek-Košnik, Irena; Kavčič, Martina; Ihan, Alojz; Rems, Miran; Pucer-Kruljac, Miriana; Dermota, Urška; Švent-Kučina, Nataša
Title		Združevanje nadzornih brisov na MRSA - rezultati raziskave
Translated title		Pooled swab cultures for detecting MRSA from screening specimens - results of study
Type		članek
Source		In: Lužnik-Bufon T, Gubina M, editors. Zbornik predavanj Bolnišnične okužbe 2003; 2003; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Sekcija za klinično mikrobiologijo in hospitalne infekcije,
Publication year		2003
Volume		str. 135-44
Language		slo
Abstract		Aim: Early identification of MRSA carriers and infected patients is a major component of a MRSA control program. The cost and the laboratory workload could be markedly reduced by processing multiple swabs from one person in one culture broth (specimens pooling). We evaluated the sensitivity for detecting MRSA and growth rate of pooled swab (PS) compared to individual processing (SS). Methods: The study was performed on 1254 swabs of 423 subjects from Microbiological Laboratory Institute of Public Health Kranj and 100 swabs of 50 subjects from Microbiological Laboratory Institute of Public Health Koper. From these subjects, two or more screening swabs for detection of MRSA were submitted at once. The swabs were suspended into 2 ml volumes of sterile Todd Hewitt Broth and divided into two 1-ml aliquots. One aliquot of the suspension was processed as a single specimen, whereas the other aliquot was mixed (pooled) with other suspensions in which swabs of the same patient were suspended. Results: Forty-five (9.5%) poolings were positive. Besides, 7 separate specimens, which were negative when pooled, were positive, too. There was no case of pooling positive/separate negative culture. Diagnostic sensitivity of PS compared with SS, when only subjects colonized by MRSA were considered was 86% and false negative rate 13%. By the 3rd day, 80% of the PS positive cultures were detected, and 54% of the SS positive cultures were detected already by the 2nd day. Conclussion: PS decreases the sensitivity of MRSA detection compared to SS. PS is particularly not appropriate for detection low number CFU MRSA.
Descriptors		STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTIONS STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS METHICILLIN RESISTANCE