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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2000, p. 2051-2054, Vol. 38, No. 6
0095-1137/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Rapid Detection of mecA-Positive and mecA-Negative Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci by an Anti-Penicillin Binding Protein 2a Slide Latex Agglutination Test

Zafar Hussain,1,2,* Luba Stoakes,1 Shaunalee Garrow,1 Susan Longo,1 Viivi Fitzgerald,1 and Robert Lannigan1,2

London Health Sciences Centre1 and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario,2 London, Ontario, Canada

Received 8 December 1999/Returned for modification 29 January 2000/Accepted 11 March 2000

A rapid slide latex agglutination (LA) test, MRSA-Screen (Denka Seiken Co., Niigata, Japan), which detects PBP 2a, was tested for its ability to differentiate between mecA-positive and -negative coagulase-negative staphylococci. A total of 463 isolates from 13 species were included in the study. The mecA gene was detected by PCR, and the oxacillin MIC was determined by the agar dilution method according to the guidelines of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). The LA test was performed with oxacillin-induced isolates. The true-positive and true-negative results were defined on the basis of the presence or the absence of the mecA gene. By PCR, 251 isolates were mecA positive and 212 were mecA negative. The sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values for the LA test compared to the NCCLS breakpoint for oxacillin resistance (>= 0.5 mg/liter) were as follows: for the LA test, 100, 99.5, 99.6, and 100%, respectively; for the NCCLS breakpoint, 100, 60.8, 75.1, and 100%, respectively. One hundred twenty-five mecA-positive isolates were also tested by the LA test without induction of PBP 2a; only 72 (57.6%) gave a positive result and required 3 to 15 min for reaction. With induction, all 251 isolates were positive within 3 min. The LA test was reliable in classifying mecA-negative isolates, but it classified isolates for which the oxacillin MIC was >= 0.5 mg/liter as oxacillin susceptible. For the reliable detection of oxacillin resistance by the MRSA-Screen in coagulase-negative staphylococci, induction of the mecA gene appears to be necessary.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, Westminster Tower, London Health Sciences Centre, Box 5010, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 4G5. Phone: (519) 685-8149. Fax: (519) 685-8203. E-mail: Zafar.hussain{at}lhsc.on.ca.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2000, p. 2051-2054, Vol. 38, No. 6
0095-1137/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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