Abstract
The timely detection of blood-borne pathogens is one of the most important functions
of the microbiology laboratory. Recently, methicillin-resistant staphylococci
have become the most important pathogens seen by the laboratory. The purpose
of this study was to evaluate Staphy agar, a novel screening medium, for the
detection methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, or other
coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) from positive blood cultures showing
Gram-positive cocci in clusters. Eighty-six blood cultures that yielded Gram-positive
cocci in clusters were included in this study. The organisms were finally identified
by the Vitek system, and oxacillin resistance was confirmed by polymerase
chain reaction (PCR)-based mecA gene detection. The identification and oxacillin
resistance of all S. aureus strains showed complete agreement with the Vitek and
PCR results. The presumptive detection of S. epidermidis and other CNS were
consistent with the Vitek system in 94.7%, and the screening of oxacillin resistance
was consistent with the result of PCR in 92.1% of 38 strains. The Staphy
agar method is reliable and rapid for differentiating Gram-positive cocci in clusters
in blood and for determining their methicillin resistance.