Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy is described for rapid identification of clinically relevant methicillin resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) that targets
mecA and
coag ulase genes. In this study, 150 staphylococcal clinical isolates were used that included 40 isolates of MRSA, 55 isolates of methicillin susceptible
S. aureus (MSSA), 44 isolates of methicillin susceptible
coag ulase negative
Staphylococcus spp. (MS-CoNS) and 11 isolates of methicillin resistant
coag ulase negative
Staphylococcus spp. (MR-CoNS). Out of 55
S. aureus strains, three strains demonstrated
mecA gene, which appeared to be oxacillin sensitive by disc diffusion. When (MS-CoNS) were evaluated, 10 isolates classified as oxacillin sensitive phenotypically, yielded positive results in PCR method. The results for
mecA detection by PCR were more consistent with disk susceptibility tests in case of MRSA (100%) and MSSA (95%) isolates. In contrast to above results with MRSA and MSSA,
mecA detection by PCR in MS-CoNS showed less correlation with disk susceptibility tests (77%). The results for
coag detection by PCR were consistent with phenotypic tests in all isolates.
