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

Abstract

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.