Detection of methicillin-resistant staphylococci
Chambers, H.F.
Infectious Disease Clinics of North America 7(2): 425-433
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0891-5520 PMID: 8345177 Document Number: 408155
Susceptibility tests commonly used in the clinical laboratory for detection of methicillin-resistant strains of staphylococci are discussed. The biochemical and genetic basis of methicillin resistance, including heterogeneous expression of resistance, is summarized. The conditions that can affect results of disk diffusion, broth dilution, and agar screen tests and sensitivity and specificity of these tests are reviewed. DNA detection methodologies, which, with their greater accuracy, may replace susceptibility testing, also are discussed.