Rapid Identification of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and the <i>mecA</i> Gene from BacT/ALERT Blood Culture Bottles by Using the LightCycler System

Abstract

One hundred BacT/ALERT blood culture bottles growing gram-positive cocci in clusters were cultured and studied by LightCycler PCR for the sa442 and mecA genes. PCR was 100% sensitive and specific for detecting Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistance in S. aureus but was less accurate for methicillin resistance in coagulase-negative staphylococci.