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Detection of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus colonization of healthy military personnel by traditional culture, PCR, and mass spectrometry
Journal article

Detection of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus colonization of healthy military personnel by traditional culture, PCR, and mass spectrometry

Ashley G Shaw, Todd J Vento, Katrin Mende, Rachael E Kreft, Garth D Ehrlich, Joseph C Wenke, Tracy Spirk, Michael L Landrum, Wendy Zera, Kristelle A Cheatle, …
Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases, v 45(10), pp 752-759
01 Oct 2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/00365548.2013.816439
PMID: 23957540
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

MSSA electrospray-ionization MRSA time-of-flight microbiology mass spectrometry Ibis T5000 PCR
Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) Staphylococcus aureus colonization is associated with increased rates of infection. Rapid and reliable detection methods are needed to identify colonization of nares and extra-nare sites, particularly given recent reports of oropharynx-only colonization. Detection methods for MRSA/MSSA colonization include culture, PCR, and novel methods such as PCR/electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS). Methods: We evaluated 101 healthy military members for S. aureus colonization in the nares, oropharynx, axilla, and groin, using CHROMagar S. aureus medium and Xpert SA Nasal Complete PCR for MRSA/MSSA detection. The same subjects were screened in the nares, oropharynx, and groin using PCR/ESI-TOF-MS. Results: By culture, 3 subjects were MRSA-colonized (all oropharynx) and 34 subjects were MSSA-colonized (all 4 sites). PCR detected oropharyngeal MRSA in 2 subjects, which correlated with culture findings. By PCR, 47 subjects were MSSA-colonized (all 4 sites); however, 43 axillary samples were invalid, 39 of which were associated with deodorant/anti-perspirant use (93%, p < 0.01). By PCR/ESI-TOF-MS, 4 subjects were MRSA-colonized, 2 in the nares and 2 in the oropharynx; however, neither of these correlated with positive MRSA cultures. Twenty-eight subjects had MSSA by PCR/ESI-TOF-MS, and 41 were found to have possible MRSA (S. aureus with mecA and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS)). Conclusion: The overall 3% MRSA colonization rate is consistent with historical reports, but the oropharynx-only colonization supports more recent findings. In addition, the use of deodorant/anti-perspirant invalidated axillary PCR samples, limiting its utility. Defining MRSA positivity by PCR/ESI-TOF-MS is complicated by co-colonization of S. aureus with CoNS, which can also carry mecA.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Infectious Diseases
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